v-H
Entomological News
AND
PROCEEDINGS
OK THE
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
OF THE
Academy of Natural Sciences
of Philadelphia.
VOLUME XVII, 1906.
EDITOR :
HENRY SKINNER, M. D.
PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D., Associate Editor.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE :
K/.RA. T. CRESSON HHNRY L. VIERECK J. A. G. RKHN
PHILIP I.AURRNT WILLIAM J. FOX CHARLKS W. JOHNSON
PHILADELPHIA:
ENTOMOLOGICAL ROOMS OF
THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES,
LOGAN SQUARE.
1906.
P. C. STOCKHAUSEN
PRINTER
53-55 N. 7iH ST., PHILADELPHIA.
INDEX TO VOL, XVII.
(Notes and articles on geographical distribution arc ind.-\.-d und> r tin n
Stales or countries concerned, and NOT undrr the spei-ies listed ti<
of new or redescribed species. New jji-nerii- and speril'u- nann
GENERAL SUBJECTS.
Academy of Natural Sciences
of Phila., Entom. Section
of, 102, 182, 183.
Alpine region of Mt. Wash-
ington, Insects of 323
American Entomol. Society,
101, 103, 184, 185, 229.
American Mosquito Extermi-
nation Society, 15, 69.
Announcement of changes in
the NEWS 398
Antedating publications, 181,
224, 264.
Association of Economic En-
tomologists, 100, 399.
Berlese's apparatus for col-
lecting small Arthropods,
49, 182.
Berlese's Gli Insetti 402
Blind beetles, 76, 105.
British Columbia Entom. So-
ciety 221
Brooklyn Entom. Society, 36,
141, 267.
California Academy o f
Science, Ruins of 187
Chiggers, Remedy for 399
Cotton Belt, Association of
Official Entomologists of... 347
Earthquake and fire in Cali-
fornia, 222, 261.
Economic Entomology, Value
of 140
Editorials, 29, 68, zoo, 140, 180,
221, 261, 308, 346, 398.
Emergency case in insect arch-
itecture X39
Entomological literature, 262,
263, 309, 400.
i iitoinological Society of
America, 352, 354.
1 .\planation of Terms used in
Entomology, Smith's 309
Fcldman Collecting Social, 37,
70, io->. 185. iSf>, 265, :,n,
403-
Field mice destroying insects. IQJ
Floor maggot, Congo 64
Folsom's Entomology
Formaldehyde as an insecti-
cide 130
Faunal relations of west coast
of North America ->_7
Geographical races 43
Griffon vulture, Biting louse
from 62
Hasty publication, 32, 181, 2^4,
264.
Hawaiian Entom. Society. . . . 225
Hybrid larvae of moths 390
Insect galls 34
Kansas University Collection 348
Letters to Editors, 15, 32, 69.
Male moth largely colored
like female . . 14 1
Malpighian tube within the
heart, 113, 1/9-
Medical entomology 180
Method of preparing wings for
study, new -''S
Mexico, Collecting in.
Mimicry 103
MOMMUIO extermination
Newark Entom. Society
Newspaper ciitoin.
3ii, 397-
Number of • • •
11
INDEX.
Obituary :
Hayward, R 230
Osten Sacken, C. R. . .
269, 273
Ohio University Lake Labora-
tory 122
Pacific Coast Entom. Society,
104, 105, 226.
Pennsylvania Board of Agric.,
Entomologists to 311
Pennsylvania Insects, Data
wanted on 230
Pennsylvania Mountains, Col-
lecting in, 263, 312.
Personals :
Bethune, C. J. S 220
Calvert, P. P 309, 399
Coquillett, D. W. . . 224, 264
Cotton, E. C 309
Dyar, H. G
115, 224, 264, 309
McCook, H. C 225
Mueschen, K 309
Poling, O. C 309
Rehn, J. A. G 322
Skinner, H 307
Slosson, Mrs. A. T 181
Smith, J. B 309
Snow, F. H 309
Van Duzee, E. P 112
Viereck, H. L 150
Willing, T. N 399
Plants :
Asclepias, Pollen of
borne by butterflies.. 268
Chestnut worms 311
Corn, Insect injury to
3", 36l
Date palms, Strategus
injuring 34
Gooseberries, Aphid at-
tacking 59
Grain injured by chinch
bug 361
Grain louse 327
Grape-foliage, Beetle in-
juring 212
Huckleberries injured
by Rhagolctis 37
Locust borers 404
Maples, Insect injury
to 313, 317
Oats, Aphid on 290
Peach-foliage, Weevil
injuring 210
Rosin-tubes, Insect
from 403
Scarlet sage defoliated
by Aleurodes 403
Scleroderma, Beetle lar-
vae in 115
Popular ignorance of insects. 346
Preservation of related spe-
cies, A factor in 146
Progression, Ways of i
Pronunciation of entomologi-
cal names 367
Protective coloring 403
Rock-boring mite 193
San Francisco entomological
collections, etc., destroyed
by fire 222, 261
Say, Remains of Thomas.... 248
Stanford University, Injury to 222
Temperature effects on mos-
quitoes, Low 216
Trypanosomiasis, Fly dissem-
inating 294
Types, To lessen chances of
destruction of 261
Venation 117
Winter insects of Texas 154
ARACHNIDA.
Leptns irritaiis 399
New Hampshire, A. of 326
New York, A. of 194
Ohio, A. of 399
Rock-boring mite 193
Scutovcrtex petrophagns* . . . . 194
Washington, A. of 350
INDEX.
in
COLEOPTERA.
Aglyptimis* 240
Agrilns lucanus* 167
Allopogonia* 241
Araeopidiits* 241
Arizona, C. of 34, 141, 186, 309
Blapstinus spp 104
Bradycinetulus* 242
British Columbia, C. of 164
Cacniella* 242
Cacnocara oculata 114
California, C. of. .71, 104, 105, 106,
162, 164, 226, 228, 393, 394.
Cantharis pilsbryi* 217
Clcindela, Habits of 338
tranquebari.ca 43
Cnemodinus* 242
Corthylus punctatissiinus 37
Dasytcs shastensis* 75
vicinus* 74
Delaware, C. of 115
Diabrotica, 12-punctata 213
Ephelimis* 241
Epicaerus imbricatus 212
Eschatoporis* 76
nunenmacheri*. . . 78
Eudesmiila* 241
Eitpsophulus* 242
Enrypodca fredericki 400
Enstroinula* 242
Fidia cana 212
Geographical races of Cicin-
dela 43
Georgia, C. of 38, 165, 186
Gyrinus parcus 228
Helopeltina* 240, 349
Hematinum* 243
Hippodainla amcricana and
sinuata 104
Lathrotropis caseyi* 71
Lcptura, Distribution of 227
Louisiana, C. of 165
Lower California. C. of. . .167, 168
Mastogenius impressipennis* . 167
Myrmecophilous C ..........
New Hampshire, C. of ....... 324
New Jersey, C. of ......... 38, 267
New Mexico, C. of ....... 163, 329
North Carolina, C. of ..... 85, 186
Omileits epicaeroidcs ....... 210
Omits spp ................ 104, 185
Pachyscclus purpurcus ........ 404
Parahornia* ................ 349
Pclatines* .................. 240
Pennsylvania, C. of..i86, 266, 403,
404.
Phoenicobiella* .............. 243
Platyccrtis opacus* .......... 393
Pleocoma hoppingi* ......... 394
Polycesta ................... 166
Preoccupied generic names in
C ............ 240, 310, 349, 397
Quebec, C. of ............... 101
Rhypodillus* ............... 243
Stratcgus jidianus ........... 34
TeneLrionid. Blind ......... 76
Texas, C. of..io, 155, 210, 212,
217, 361.
Trachykele nimbosa* ......... 164
opulcnta* ....... 162
spp ............. 160
Triglyphulus* ............... 243
Venezuela, C. of ............. 400
Washington, C. of ........ 106, 163
Wingless beetles ......... .210, ju
Wollastoniella* ............. 243
DIPTERA.
Anopheles ............... 280, 380
Aucheromyia httcola ........ 64
Biting Leptid at higli altitude 183
California, D. of... 107, i<
226, 371, 375.
Calotarsa ............... !
hii ....................... 370
Clirysops ____
Coll-
insignis*
IV
INDEX,
Columbia, D. of District of . . . 244
Congo floor maggot 64
Corethrella appendiculata* — 343
Culex lativittatus* 109
spp.. 4, 36, 107, 109, 214, 279,
282, 369, 380.
Cutcrebra cyanclla* 391
spp 392
Egg-laying of Culex... 4, 214, 215,
282, 369.
Empididas, Genera of 370
Eye-maculation of Chrysops. 39
Glossina 300
palpalis zvellmani... 294
Illinois, D. of 48, 369
Jamaica, D. of 343
fanthinosoma musica 350
Limnophila aspidoptera 29
Minnesota, Washburn's D. of
400, 293
Mississippi mosquitoes 69
Mosquito survey of Pennsyl-
vania 150
Mydas fulvifrons and chrysos-
toma 347, 404
Nebraska, D. of 391
New Hampshire, D. of 37, 325
New Jersey, D. of 36, 37, 101,
266, 312, 347, 404.
New Mexico, D. of . . : 29, 373
North Carolina, D. of.. 82, 83, 85
Parathalassins aldrlchi* 374
candidatus* . . . 375
Pelastoneurus nigrescens 69
Pennsylvania, D. of..i86, 214, 279,
350, 380, 404.
Prorates* 372
claripennis* 373
Reduction of wings 371
Rhabdophaga rigidac 398
Rhagas mabelae 378
Rhicnoessa albttla 403
Song of mosquitoes 380
Staten Island, D. of 36
Syin/ allophthalmus 372
Tabanus subniger* 48
Tanypus dyari 244
Temperature, Effects of low
on mosquitoes 216
Thinodromia* 370
inchoata* .... 370
Toreus* 376
Tse-tse fly 294
Washington, D. of 375
West Africa, D. of 294
HEMIPTERA.
Aleyrodes 127, 403
Alydus sctosus* , 386
Anasa tristis 383
Aphis houghtonensis* 59
Aquatic H 54
Arilns cristatus 6
Arizona, H. of.. 384, 385, 387, 391
Blissus leucopterus 361
British Columbia, H. of . . .388, 389
California, H. of 385, 387
Chinch bug 361
Cicada fnhula* 322
spp 237, 321
Colorado, H. of 34
Columbia, H. of District of.. 322
Connecticut, H. of 127
Costa Rica, H. of 54
Diaspis pentagona, Parasites
of 291
Eremocoris obscurus* 388
Feeding, Method of in H 382
Florida, H. of 322
Georgia, H. of 382
Germany, Aphid from 290
Illinois, H. of 368
Indiana, H. of 59, 322
falysus wickhami* 387
Japan, H. of 205, 335
Java, H. of 207
Leptoglossus phyllopus 382
Macrosiphum granarfa. . .290, 327
Maryland, H. of 6
Montana, H. of 387
INDEX.
Narnia snozvi* 384
spp 384,385,386
wilsoni* 385
New Hampshire, H. of 326
New Jersey, H. of 239
New York, H. of 239, 390
Nipponaphis* 205
distychii* 205
Ohio, H. of 322
Pemphigus oestlundi* 34
Peritrechus tristis* 388
Pulvinaria innumerabilis 368
Quebec, H. of 239
Reduvius (Opsicoetus*) scni-
lis* 390
Tenacity of Acanthia lectu-
laria 350
Texas, H. of 155, 290, 327, 361
Togo* 335
" victor* 336
Trichosiphum* 206
anonae* 207
kuwanai* .... 209
Utah, H. of 387
Water-bugs, Progression in.. i
Xcrocoris* 385
Xestocoris* 389
" nit ens* 390
HYMENOPTERA.
Ablerus clisiocampeae 292
Ancistromma bruneri* 248
sericifrons*. . . . 247
Anoplius humilis* 304
Ant, New fossil 27
Ants, Tropical, in U. S 23, 265
Anusia xerophila* 61
Architecture of Vespa in
emergency 139, 267
Argentina, H. of 58
Bombus nests 183
Caupolicana 57
albicollis* 57
Cerccris descria 397
China, H. of 121
Colletcs birkmanni*
licsperins*
lacustris*
plcuralis*
Colorado, H. of 28,
Columbia, H. of District of
292,
Compendia*
bifasciata*
Connecticut. H. of... 302, 313,
Delaware, H. of
Digger bees. Nests of 229,
Eulophus guttiventris*
Halictus szfcitki*
Hive bees in city
Illinois, H. of 7, 151, .•
Kansas, H. of
Metopius harbccki*
Michigan, H. of
Missouri, H. of
Montana, H. of
Nebraska, H. of 246,
Xcw Hampshire, H. of
New Jersey, H. of
Odotitophyes fcrmgiitea*
Ody items (Ancistrocerus)
dcnii* 304,
Parasitic H....7. 61, 04, 121,
151, 249, 2QT. .50-,
Pennsylvania, H. nf
Pcrisoptcrus puhhcUus . ......
Peru, H. of
Poncra hendcrsnni*
Priophonts accricanlis
Prospalta bcrlcsci*
murtfcldtii
Ptcrontis arapahonum*
Rhode Island, IT. of
Tachysphcx- punctulatits*
Texas, H. of '
Tiphia brunneicornis* ....
" egregio*
rchitim*
mid en ii* 302,
VI
INDEX.
LEPIDOPTERA.
Alaska, L. of 379
Apantesis oithona 37
Apatela funeralis 69
Argynnis idalia 35, 141
Arizona, L. of.. 95, 96, 98, 99, 101,
1 88, 289, 349, 379.
Attacus cecropla 368, 395
promcthca 396
Behr's types of L 261
California, L. of. .98, 105, 106, 183,
188, 226, 347, 349.
Canada, L. of 379
Carystus richardi* 201
Catocalse in daylight 231
Catopsilia philca 104
Cerostoma 96
spp. nn* 97, 98
Chans suapurc* 199
Cocoons of hybrid larvae.. 395, 396
" Tclca polyphcmus
33, 112, 177, 225
Colorado, L. of 204
Connecticut, L. of 70
Cosmosoma rubrigutta* 96
Cymolomia 305
Dryocampa nibiciinda 396
Early and late L 70, 103
Eccopsis 305
Eccsla klagesii* 195
Erannls tiliaria 37
Eubaphe ostcnta 101
Enclca dolliana 392
Eupithccia hclcna* 191
Euproctis chrysorrhoea, Over-
wintering European nests
of 101
Etisclasia tysoni* 199
I'.ri'/n'ti comstockiana 403
Exartcma 305
Georgia, L. of 104
Harrisimemna trisignutd 21
Ifcliconins charitonius 34
Hcmilcuca biidleyi 395
Hesperidae, Dyar's review of
1 10, 142, 309
Hydriomena magnificata* 189
multipuiictata*. . 188
Hyperchiria io 141
Illinois, L. of 368
Ithomia hamlini* 196
Kansas, L. of 34
Lemonias larvae 140
Long Island, L. of 37
Loxotcrma* 305
Macaria quadrifasciata* 190
Mclamaca virgata* 188, 349
Mclamaca " 349
Melitaea chalcedon 105
Methonella carveri* 200
Missouri, L. of". 231
Monolcuca spadicis* 289, 392
Montana, Elrod's L. of.. 229, 263
New Hampshire, L. of 323
New York, L. of 21, 37, 69
North Carolina, L. of 84
Nymphidium quinoni* 201
Ohio, L. of 31, 70
Ophisma tropicalis 213
Pamphila bobae* 203
brooksii* 204
spp 70, 150, 185
Papilios, Rothschild and Jor-
dan's Revision of the Amer-
ican 400
Papilla rntiihts arcticus* 379
Pennsylvania, L. of.... 37, 70, 99,
103, 213, 229, 404.
Phyllocnistis vitigenella 70
Pollen borne by L 208
Pyrgus centaurcac 99, 289
occidcntalis* 96
spp 277
Pseudorthosia variabilis vnr.
pallidior* 204
Pythonidcs hoyti* 202
Rhescipha snowi* 95
Ruscino arida* 95
INDEX.
vn
Samia cecropia 368
cynthia 396
Secretion of Painphila incta-
comct 150
Syntomeida befana* 379
Tachyris ilairc 310
Tclca Polyphemus cocoons. 33, 112,
177, 225.
Texas, L. of 34, 95, 96
Thccla calanus and cdwardsii. 283
" cartcri* 197
hosmcri* 198
inadic* 197
Tischcria inalifoliclla 307
Vanessa j-album 310
Venezuela, L. of 195-204
West Virginia, L. of 310
NEUROPTERA.
Allopcrla* 175
Arizona, N. of 337
Basiaeschna Janata 104
Bird louse, Gigantic 62
Brachynemnrns curriei* 93
CMoropcrla 174
Colorado, Odonata of 351
Copulation of Odonata. . .143, 148
Cryptotermes* 336
cavifrons* 337
Erythcmis 30
Erythrodiplax bcrenice and
nacva 99
Florida, N. of 337
Complins brevis 104
Guatemala, Odonata of 182
Iowa, Odonata of 357
Isopcrla* 175
Laemobothorium gypsis* 63
Libcllnla Inctiiosa 3°
Mesothcmts 30
Mexican and Central Ameri-
can Odonata wanted 347
Nephepeltia phrync 182
New England, Odonata of. ... 31
Newfoundland, Odonata of... 133
New Hampshire, N. of
New Jersey, Odonata of
New Mexico, Odonata of....
Nomenclature of X. AIIKT.
Odonata
North Carolina, Odonata of. .
91.
rititlicinls sitl'iirinitti
Somatochlora spp
Tcrmopsis laticcps*
Texas, N. of
Venation of N
ORTHOPTERA.
Agcncotctti.v
104
351
30
81,
351
337
i<«i
arcnosits*
253
255
86
A mphibotettix*
" longipcs* S;
Anomalous position of Mal-
pighian tul)c 113. I7'i
Arizona. O. of
Antolyca doylci* MJ
Borneo, O. of 88
Brazil. O. of 332
Colombia, O. of 193
Conocephalus lyristcs and nc-
brascensis 366
Costa Rica, O. of 204
Dictyophonts rcticitlatits 229
Eotctti.r hcbardi* 235
Georgia, O. of
Illinois, O. of
Length of life of O
Lichciith-lints dccidns*
" tnciniwmtits. . . . 204
Maryland, O. of
scittidcri tc.wisis*
Hnicoltir*
O
Ncinobiits fuiii-nilis* '5'i
X<-\v Jersey, ' "" of
North Carolina, O
Pennsylvania, ' '
....
Platybothrus nlticoLi*
Vlll
INDEX.
Platytettix* 88
" reticulatits* 88
Staginomantis spp 229
Stenodorsus* 9°
e.rtcniiatus* QI
Ta.viarchus paracnsis* 332
Tenodera sincnsis. . . .102, 311, 403
Texas, O. of 156
Trigonofcmora* 89
" fossitlatus* ... 89
Utah, O. of 284
AUTHORS.
Aldrich, J. M 123, 269
Banks, N 174, 193, 33$
Bergroth, E 335, 350
Blaisdell, F. £..71, 106, 107, 228
Bridwell, J. C 94
Brimley, C. S 81, 91
Britton, W. E 127, 313
Brooks, F. E 310
Brues, C. T 61
Buchholz, 0 36
Bueno, J. R. de la T I, 54
Busck, A 305
Calvert, P. P. .31, 99, 148, 179, 263,
347 and Index.
Caudell, A. N 192
Chagnon, G 101
Champion, G. C 182
Cockerell, T. D. A 27, 34, 204,
220, 240, 349, 397, 398.
Cook, J. H 99
Coolidge, C. R 140, 263
Coquillett, D. W 48, 109, 224
Crawford, J. C 275
Daecke, E 39, 347
Davis, J. J 368
Davis, W. T 237
Dury, C 350, 399
Dyar, H. G 32, 69, 264
Fall, H. C 160, 393
Fenyes, A 310
Forbes, W. T. M 225
Girault, A. A 6, 305, 382
Grabham, M 343
Grossbeck, J. A 289, 392
Haimbach, F. .38, 70, 102, 186, 266,
267, 403, 404-
Hancock, J. L 86, 253
Hart, C. A 154
Herrick, G. W 69
Holland, W. J 34
Houghton, C. 0 114
Howard, L. 0.49, 101, 121, 291,402
Johnson, C. W 273
Johnson, S. A 139
Jones, P. R 391
Joutel, L. H 237
Kellogg, V. T 62, 222
Knaus, W 329
Kuschel, R ' 112
Kunze, R. E 177
McClendon, J. F. . .26, 93, H7, 169
Melander, A. L 37°
Mitchell, E. G 244
Miller, N 357
Moore, R. M 33$
Nason, W. A 7, *5i, 249
Newcomer, E. J 348
Osborn, H 321
Pearsall, R. F. 21
Pearson, A. W 70
Pergande, T 205
Pilate, G. R 31
Quayle, H. J 4
Rehn, J. A. G..i83, 204, 284, 332.
366.
Rilev, W. A 113
Rowley, R. R 175, 231
Sanborn, C. E 290
Sanderson, E. D 210, 327, 361
Sherman, F., Jr 32
Skinner, H., 29, 33, 68, 95, 100, 101,
102, 103, 104, no, 140, 142, 150,
180, 181, 182, 184, 185, 186, 213,
221, 229, 261, 277, 278, 283, 346,
350. 370, 308. 401.
Slingerland, M. V 130
Slosson, A. T 323
INDEX.
IX
Smith, H. S 57, 246
Smith, J. B 69
Soule, C. G 33, 395
Summers, H. E 100
Surface, H. A 230
Swenk, M. H 257
Swett, L. W 349
Taylor, G. W 188
Tower, W. V 218
Troop, J 59
Tucker, E. S 10
Van Duzee, E. P 384
Van Dyke, E. C
Viereck, II. 1 30 j,
Weber, S. V. JT.}, .
Weeks, A. C 37, MJ
Weeks, A. G i'(5
Weeks, IF. C 21
\\Yllinan, F. C
Wheeler. W. M _>3, '«i. 265
Wickham, If. F J3
Williams »n. I-'.. I!., 133. 143, I
213, 248. 351.
Wright, W. G 187, 2->5
JANUARY, 1906.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
Vol. XVII.
No. 1.
Limnophila aspidoptera Coquillett.
EDITOR :
HENRY SKINNER, M. I).
PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D., Associate Editor
EEKA T. CRKSSON.
PHILIP LAURENT.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
HENRY L. VIERKCK. ). A. G. REHN.
WILLIAM J. FOX. CHARLES W. JOHNSON
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E. T. CRESSON, Treasurer,
P. O. Box 248. Philadelphia, a.
When Writing Pl.-;is.< Mention " Entomological New«."
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. XVII.
JANUARY, 1906.
No. i.
CONTENTS:
De la Torre Bueno — Ways of Progression
in Waterbugs i
Quayle— Notes on the Egg-laying habits
of Culex curriei Coq 4
Girault — Standards of the number of eggs
laid by insects — IV 6
Nason — Parasitic Hymenoptera of Algon-
quin, Illinois — III 7
Tucker — Determinations of some Texas
Coleoptera with Records 10
Weeks — Letter to the Editors . . 15
Pearsall— Harrisimemna Insi^nata Walk. 21
Wheeler — On certain tropical ants intm
duced into the United States 13
McClendon— Notes on collecting in M. \
ico 26
("ockerell— A new lossil ant 27
Editorial 29
Notes and News 30
Poings of Societies ^5
Ways of Progression in Waterbugs.
BY J. R. DE LA TORRE BUENO.
In ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS for December, 1904 (p. 344),
Mr. G. W. Kirkaldy has a suggestive note on the subject of
oaring in waterbugs, in which he refers to Professor Packard's
remarks in " Half Hours with Insects," on the motion of the
legs in swimming in Ranatra and Belostoma and (Ainor^ins I.
In February, 1905 (p. 53), the NEWS published a brief note
of mine on Cori.va, Notoneda and Belostoma, and in March (p.
88), Mr. C. S. Brimley, of Raleigh, threw further light on the
method in Benacus griseus. These brief notes suggested U>
me that since I would have living waterbugs in my aquaria
through the spring and summer, it might be well to look into
the subject a little more thoroughly, the more so that all the
general works I have been able to consult content themselve>
with vague remarks. In connection with my breeding experi-
ments, the following observations were made :
The position back down assumed in swimming by our Amer-
ican genera-^of the family Notonedida; is too well known to
call for more extended mention. In Notmn-
ditlata, variabilis and insiilata) and in ttm->t^i (An .v('/>\, pur-
2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
tim), the third pair of pedes only are natatorial and the tibiae
and tarsi are heavily fringed with long hairs. The legs are
moved simultaneously and quite rapidly in powerful backward
strokes, the fringing ciliae expanding on the propulsive and
closing on the return stroke. Plea agrees with the larger
Notonectids in the position and method, but the stroke is
quicker and more clipping and the tibiae and tarsi are very
sparingly provided with short hairs. On land, both Notonecta
and Buenoa move very awkwardly. When first put on any
surface they jump about and move the third pair of legs des-
perately with the swimming motion, but as soon as they get
their bearings, they begin to crawl rather slowly and painfully
by means of the first and second pairs of pedes. Plea, on the
other hand, can very frequently be seen creeping among the
water plants in which it hides, and at other times it moves
along the surface film, actually walking suspended from it,
back down of course. On land it walks, using all three pairs
of pedes.
Cori.ra swims using both the pedes of the third pair simul-
taneously, as in Notonecta, and the position in the water is
back up. On land, it jumps and skips about, the first and
third pairs of legs being quite specialized and only the second
ambulatorial, which naturally prevents the bug from walking.
In the BelostomatidfE I have been unable to make fresh ob-
servations on Benacus and Amorgius (=Belostoma, olim), but
having had a number of Belostoma {Zaitha} fluminea in my
aquaria at various times, I have been able to study this last
species with care and to repeat my observations several times.
Benacus I have never seen in the water. Of Amorgius obscurum
Dufour I have had several nymphs which were brought to
maturity. My recollection is that the}- move the hind legs
together in swimming, confirming Mr. Brimley's observation
on Benacus. On land they scuffle along pretty rapidly. With
regard to Belostoma fluminea Say to confirm previous observa-
tions, I confined a bred specimen in a glass dish so small that
while it could move its legs freely, it was not able to stir from
under my magnifier, no matter how furiously it might paddle.
It was then stirred up, and its motions could be observed
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
without much difficulty. The second and third pair of pedes
are moved alternately and quite rapidly, the second pair row-
ing while the third recovers, and the second recovering while
the third gives a vigorous stroke. The femora cross each
other when the second pair gives the propulsive stroke and
are widely separated when it reaches the extreme of the
return, the third pair being at the end of the backward move-
ment. The stroke of the second pair of legs in all likelihood
merely helps to conserve the momentum imparted by the
powerful third pair, which does all the work. The second
pair is but feebly set with hairs while the third is provided
with abundant fringes along the edges of the tibae and tarsi.
As in other waterbugs, these hair-fringes fold back in the re-
turn and expand on the propulsive stroke. Belostoma gen-
erally swims back up, but at times it moves abdomen up. On
land it runs with considerable celerity and ease, employing the
two posterior pairs of legs.
Pelocoris I have not succeeded in observing closely. This
bug moves its legs so rapidly that they can scarcely be fol-
lowed. However, the third pair is mainly used in swimming,
and the legs are moved together. It runs quite briskly on
laud and in the water, its natural home, it creeps among the
water plants.
The only Nepid I have had the opportunity to observe is
Ranatra quadridentata Stal., of which I keep a few living ones
every summer. I have watched this bug swim repeatedly,
and as its motions are quite slow, it has been possible to ana-
lyze them much more easily than those of the others. As I
have elsewhere noted, Ranatra employs in locomotion only
the second and third pair of legs, the first being strictly rap-
torial and prehensile. Further, since Ranatra is not one of
the swimming waterbugs (in fact its affinities are with land
forms as pointed out by Schioclte), * its locomotion under
water is rather awkward, to say the least. The pedes move
alternately back and forward, the second pair alternating with
the third, much as in Belostoma, but in a much more leisurely
manner. Again, as in ]>cl^stonia, at one extreme of the
'Ann. Nat. Misi. (4) vi., liSyu, p. ^2=,. <-'U .
4 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
strokes, the extremities of the legs are widely separated, and
at the other, the femora are crossed, those of the second pair
crossing below the third. On land, however, Ranatra runs
quite rapidly, but the ungainly length of its legs seems to trip
it up when in a hurry.
The meagerness of information regarding these habits has
led me to the studies outlined above. It is to be hoped that
the rising generation of entomologists may give a little less
time to hair-splitting classifications and devote its energies to
investigations of habits and life-histories of other than eco-
nomically important groups, or than those which, like butter-
flies, are largely aesthetic ; and to such lovers of the insect-folk
do I look for further light on these highly interesting but
financially unremunerative subjects.
Notes on the Egg-laying Habits of Culex curriei Coq.
BY H. J. QUAYLE, Ames, Iowa.
During the past summer the writer was engaged in mosquito
control work along the portion of the San Francisco bay shore
extending from San Mateo to South San Francisco. The ter-
ritory contiguous to the marsh here has long been noted for
its abundant supply of mosquitoes, and the species giving the
bulk of the trouble was Culex curriei Coq.
Early in the campaign, my attention was directed to the fact
that larvae were appearing exclusively in pools that were
reached only by the monthly high tides, and which were dry
for a portion of each month. This led me to infer that, like
the salt marsh species in New Jersey, this species chose the
mud of the drying pools rather than water in which to lay its
eggs. Consequently mud was taken from such pools and
submerged with ordinary sea water when, in the course of two
or three days, wrigglers invariably appeared. Another
method of studying this egg-laying habit consisted in sinking
ordinary soap boxes, with the bottoms first removed, to a
depth of two or three inches in the mud of pools, where larvae
were likely to appear. These boxes were thoroughly screened
at the top to prevent the entrance of adults, and were kept
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
from floating away with the tides by means of stakes driven
into the ground. When the monthly high tide reached the
pool, water covered the mud within the box by seepage from
below, the top being above high tide water, and in due time
wrigglers would appear inside the box as abundantly as in the
pool outside. These experiments, and the fact that through-
out the season larvae appeared in such situations only, con-
vinced me that Culex curriei lays its eggs in mud by preference,
if not exclusively.
I have negative evidence to the effect that this species win-
ters in the egg state, but space here wnll not permit of an
account of this. During the past year (1905) the eggs first
began to hatch in February, the first larvae appearing on the
2oth. Despite the fact that no adults were seen after April,
due to the effective control work, larvae appeared in these tem-
porary pools in increasing numbers with each high tide until
June. There is but one explanation for this, and this is, that
the eggs do not all hatch with the early spring tides, the ma-
jority of larvae not appearing until the higher temperatures of
May and June.
During the season of 1904, a brood of curriei appeared each
month as regularly as the tides from February to September
inclusive, making eight in the season. In arid climates like
that of California, where the rains cease in the early spring,
the, pools along the margin of the marsh depend for their
formation entirely upon high tide water, consequently in the
control work of the past summer it was only necessary to visit
the marshes once each month, during the week of full moon,
to find all the wrigglers that would appear for that month.
This species was also found to be migratory, and in 1904 was
found in the hills toward the ocean, ten miles from its breed-
ing ground, along the bay shore. It is hardly necessary to
add that this species is a strictly salt marsh form in this sec-
tion, and is the most abundant and annoying mosquito of the
Bay region of California.
How doth the busy little bee
Improve each shining minute?
By flying 'round the can to see
The good things that are in it.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Jan., 'c6
Standards of the Number of Eggs Laid by Insects — IV.
Being averages obtained by actual count of the combined
eggs from twenty (20) depositions or masses.
BY A. ARSENE GIRATJLT.
5. ARILUS CRISTATUS Linnaeus.
No.
Date, 1903
No. counted
per mass
Successive
totals
Av. per
egg mass
Max. Min.
Range
I
Mar. 20
1 60
1 60
1 60
172
2
136
296
148
3
136
432
144
4
138
570
142.5
5
114
684
136.8
6
118
802
133.6
7
90
892
127.4
8
167
!059
132.3
9
159
1218
135-3
10
126
1344
134-4
ii
125
1469
133-5
12
133
1602
133-5
13
119
1721
132.3
14
'53
1874
133-7
15
105
1979
132
16
151
2130
133
17
in
2241
132
18
42
2283
126
42
19
172
2455
129.2
172
20
112
2567
128
42
20
2567
128
172 42
130
Finals
The egg-masses were collected at Annapolis, Md., in a small
peach orchard, where they have been unusually abundant for
the past three or four years. In other orchards, in the imme-
diate vicinity, none could be found, nor on trees other than
fruit trees, except rarely. The insect apparently shows quite
a preference for peach, as a place of deposit for eggs, and it
seems to have a tendency to exist in isolated colonies.
Most of the estimates of the number of eggs deposited by
this insect fall below the average obtained.
* For the first three of this series see ENT. NEWS, 1901, p. 305; 1904, pp. 2-3, and 1905,
p. 167.
M. WITTE says the peace of Portsmouth was signed in order to get rid
of the mosquitoes.
Jan., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
Parasitic Hymenoptera of Algonquin, Illinois. — III*.
BY WM. A. NASON, M.D.
PROCTOTRYPID^:.
Pristocera armifera Say.
4 specimens <3\
July 17, 28, 1895.
Aug. 26, 1894.
Sept. 10, 1896.
Lfflius trogoderinatis Ashm.
i specimen 9 .
May 30, 1895.
Perisemus mellipes Ashm.
i specimen ^ .
June 4, 1894.
Goniozus cellularis Say.
i specimen 9 .
Aug. 12, 1895.
Goniozus columbianus Ashm.
i specimen 9 .
June 2, 1895.
Goniozus plafynofce Ashm.
i specimen 9 •
May ii, 1895.
Chelogynus canadensis Ashm.
i specimen 9-
June 28, 1894.
Aphelopus albopictus Ashm.
i specimen ^.
July 16, 1895.
Lygocerus fioridanus Ashm.
i specimen 9 .
May 25, 1894.
Megaspilus popenoei Ashm.
i specimen 9-
Oct. 2, 1895.
Ceraphron flaviscapus Ashm.
i specimen 9 •
May 21, 1896
Ceraphron pedalis Ashm.
i specimen 9 -
May 21, 1896.
Ceraphron punctatus Ashm.
i specimen 9 •
July 18, 1895.
Ceraphron algonquinus Ash. n. sp.
17 specimens 9 .
May 23 to Sept. 19, 1895.
Co-types, types in Ashm. coll.
Ceraphron salicicola Ashm.
3 specimens 9-
April 28, 29, 1896.
Phanurus flavipes Ashm.
2 specimens 9-
May 12, 21, 1896,
Teleno mus pusi/lus Ashm.
1 specimen, 9 •
May 10, 1896.
Telenomus persimilis Ashm.
3 specimens 9 •
May 10, 20, 1896.
Telenomus podisi Ashm.
5 specimens 9 •
Oct. 3, 6, 1895.
May 29, 1896.
Trissolcus euschisti Ashm.
2 specimens 9 •
Sept. 27, 1895.
Oct. 6, 1895.
Trissolcus podisi Ashm.
i specimen $.
May 2t, 1896.
Ocoloides howardii Ashm.
1 specimen 9-
Sept. 17, 1895.
Anteris virginiensis Ashm.
2 specimens 9-
June 8, 21, 1895.
Amblyaspis californicus Ashm.
i specimen 9 •
Sept. 27, 1895.
Polymecus picipes Ashm.
i specimen 9 •
May 10, 1895.
Sactogaster anomaliventi is Ashm.
i specimen 9-
May 27, 1896.
* Determinations were all made hv Dr. Win. II. Ashmoml ol
. D. C
8
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Jan., '06
Caloteleia marlattii Ashm.
8 specimens (J, 9 •
Sept. 21, 1893.
Sept. 10, 1895.
May 21 to June 5, 1896.
Polygnotus salicicola Ashm.
4 specimens £?, 9-
May 20, 21, 26, 1896.
Proctotrypes rufigaster Prov.
4 specimens <j\ 9 .
Sept. 13, 1894.
May 23, 1895.
June 21, 1896.
Proctotrypes terminalis Ashm.
i specimen 9 .
Oct. 16, 1895.
Proctotrypes abrupta Say.
i specimen 9 •
May 25, 1894.
Proctotrypes obsoletus Say.
1 specimen 9 •
Proctotrypes simulans Ashm.
2 specimens 9 .
May 6, 1895.
Anectata hirtifrons Ashm.
i specimen 9 •
July 3, 1895.
Paramesitts terminatus Say.
1 specimen, 9-
July 29, 1895.
Paramesiu s pallidipes Ashm.
2 specimens <J\ 9 •
Aug. 26, 1894.
Aneurhynchus virginicus Ashm.
i specimen 9 •
Oct. 16, 1895.
Galesus quebecensis Prov.
i specimen 9 .
Oct. 4, 1893.
Tropidopria conica Fabr.
4 specimens 9 .
June 30, 1894.
May 3, 1896.
Loxotropa ruficornis Ashm.
i specimen 9 •
Sept. 19, 1894.
Loxotropa abrupta Thorns,
i specimen 9 •
Oct. 6, 1895.
Loxotropa californica Ashm.
i specimen 9 •
July 8, 1895.
Diapria californica Ashm.
i specimen 9 .
May 26, 1896.
Trichopria pentaplasta Ashm.
i specimen 9-
Aug. 31, 1894.
Trichopria popenoei Ashm.
i specimen %, .
May 30, 1895.
Phcznopria minutissima Ashm.
i specimen 9 •
June 26, 1894.
Basalys fuscipennis Ashm.
i specimen <$.
Sept. 19, 1894.
MYMARID/E.
Gonatocerus welateri Ashm.
i specimen 9-
May 10, 1896.
Costnocoma howardii Ashm.
i specimen 9 •
May 10, 1896.
Costnocoma inaculipes Ashm.
5 specimens 9 •
May 10 to 13, 1896.
PELECINIDvE.
Pelecinus polyturator Drury.
i specimen 9-
CYNIPID^E.
Nenroterus nigrum Gill.
3 specimens 9 •
April ii, 16, 1896.
Neuroterus noxiosus Bass,
i specimen 9-
May 25, 1895.
Neurotcrus vernus Gill.
5 specimens.
May 6, 1896.
Jan., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
Ceroptres tuber Fitch.
7 specimens o . 9 •
June 10, 1896.
Synergus lana Fitch.
7 specimens ^ , 9-
July 23, 1895.
July 25, 1895.
July 10, 1896.
Callirhytis seminatar Harris.
2 specimens 9 •
April 13, 1895.
April 23, 1895.
Anacharis marginata Prov.
4 specimens 9.
Aug. 8, 1895.
Aug. 12, 1895.
Figitodes $-Iineata Say.
15 specimens (j\ 9-
June 4, 14, 1894.
July 19 to Sept. 10, 1895.
June i, 1896.
Figites inermis Prov.
1 specimen 9 •
Figites floridanus Ashm.
13 specimens <j\ 9-
June 24 to Sept 17, 1895.
June i, 1896.
June 10, 1896.
Kleidotoma nigrosus Ashm.
2 specimens 9-
Sept. 27, 1895.
Oct. 2, 1895.
Co-types, type in Ashm. coll.
Kleidotoma baker i Ashm.
6 specimens £ , 9 •
May 3 to June 13, 1896.
Aug. 12, 1895.
Hexaplasta monilicornis Ashm.
2 specimens £ , 9 •
May 12, 21, 1896.
Hexaplasta erythrocera Ashm.
r specimen £ .
May 10, 1896,
Eucoila rubripes Ashm.
i specimen 9-
June 13, 1895.
Eucoila vulgaris Ashm.
21 specimens $, 9-
May 17 to Sept. 12, 1894.
June ii to Sept. 17, 1*95.
May 10, 24, 1896.
Eucoila mellipes Say.
1 specimen 9 .
May 21, 1896.
Eucoilidea canadensis Ashm.
2 specimens <5\ 9-
Eucoilidea longicornis Ashm.
4 specimens 9 •
June 10, 1895.
May 3, 21, 1896.
June 21, 1896.
Psilodora impatiens Say.
2 specimens 9 .
July 10, 1894.
June 10, 1896.
RIelanips canadensis Ashm.
i specimen 9 .
Oct. 5, 1895.
Melanips subcompressa Prov.
1 specimen 9 •
Oct. 2, 1895.
Melanaspis iowensis Ashm.
2 specimens, 9-
Sept. 17, 1895.
Sotenaspis singitlaris Ashm.
i specimen 9 •
July 25, 1895.
Solenaspis hyalinifonnis Ashm.
i specimen 9-
Solenaspis abnortnis Ashm,
i specimen £, .
June 10, 1896.
Trybliographa authoniyiir Ashm.
1 specimen 9.
April 20, 1896.
Heptamerocera marlalli Ashm.
2 specimens 9 •
May 10, 1896.
Tetrahapta nasoni Ashm.
2 specimens 9 •
May 3, 1896
May 13, 1896.
10 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
Determinations of Some Texas Coleoptera
With Records.
BY ELBERT S. TUCKER.
Museum Assistant in Systematic Entomology University
of Kansas, Lawrence.
On account of personal interest in the insect fauna of Texas,
due to a collecting trip to Galveston, in May, 1903, as a mem-
ber of a party under direction of Dr. F. H. Snow, for the Uni-
versity of Kansas, the writer recently agreed to name some
beetles belonging to the Agricultural and Mechanical College
of Texas, at College Station, Brazos County, at the request of
Mr. A. F. Conradi, the Acting State Entomologist. Mr. Con-
radi proposed as an inducement for the work that a list of
determinations would be helpful in making up a general list of
the Coleoptera of Texas, and the names and records herewith,
show the results of study of the specimens which he supplied.
All determinations were personally made by comparison with
named specimens in the collection of beetles of the University
of Kansas and with the aid of literature, except for that por-
tion of the list where special credit is given to authorities to
whom the specimens were submitted in cases of uncertainty.
With the exception of Balani)ius rictoriensis Chitt., all of the
beetles were collected in Texas, mostly at the Agricultural and
Mechanical College, to which institution they have been
returned, less a few duplicates retained by kind permission.
The arrangement follows Henshaw's check list by numbers
when given.
Family CICINDELID^E.
193. Cicindela scutellaris Say, var. unicolor Dejean. Wellborn, Bra-
zos River, March 22, 1904.
32. Cicindela vulgaris Say. Wellborn, Brazos River, March 22, 1904.
Family CARABID^E.
184. Calosoma lugubre LeConte. College Station.
220. Scarites subterraneus Fabricius. College Station, March 31,
1904.
387. Bembidium variegatttm Say. College Station, May 9, 1903.
617. Evarthrus heros Say. Comanche, March 17, 1904.
8473. Casnonia pennsylvanica Linnaeus, variety -?«/«;'#//.? Chandoir. Col-
lege Station, January 30, 1903 ; Buffalo Springs, May 5, 1903.
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. II
935. Pinacodera platicollis Say. College Station, January 4, 1904.
Striae not deep ; abdomen protrudes farther beyond elytra
than with compared examples, regarding which Mr. Chailts
Liebeck has written : "about the usual form; the extent of
abdominal segment beyond the elytra is variable."
1120. Harpalus gravis Le Conte. Waco, September 20, 1902, collected
by L. H. Scholl.
1201. Anisodactylus piceus Le Conte. College Station, February 27.
and May i, 1904; Avalon, April 12, 1904. The brownish
colored examples were probably freshly emerged, therefore
had not developed to black.
Family GYRINIDvE.
J539- Dineutes carolinus Le Conte. College Station.
Family COCCINELLIDyE
3064. Cycloneda sanguined Linnaeus. College Station, May 12, 1904
May 10, 1905, C. E. Sanborn. Predaceous on plant lice.
30653. Olla abdominalis Say. Sabinal, May 24, 1904.
3084. Exochomus contristatus Muls. College Station, May ic, 1905.
C. G. Sanborn. Predaceous on plant lice.
3'35- Scymnus terminatus Say. College Station, August 8, 1904.
3156. Scymnus lenebrosus Muls. College Station, May 10. C. E. San-
born. Predaceous on plant lice.
Family EROTYLIDJ!.
3202. Languria ta?data Le Conte. College Station April 12, 1903.
Family ELATERID/E.
4085. Lacon rectangularis Say. College Station, February 27, 1904.
Family BUPRESTID.'E
46393. Chrysobothrisfemorata Fabricius, variety alabanuc Gory. Kosse,
April 19, 1904.
4750. Agrilus muticus Le Conte. College Station, April 28, 1903, and
April 7, 1904.
Family MALACHID^
5007. Collops balfeatux Le Conte. Wellborn, Brazos River, March 29,
1903 : College Station, July 27, 1902.
Family CLERID/K
52153. Chariessa pilosa Say, variety onusta Say. Collegt- Station, Apiil
12, 1903.
Family PTINID.K.
5356 Amphicerus bicaudatus Say. Corsicana, March n, 1904.
12 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
Family SCARAByEID^E
5535- Aphodius serval Say. College Station, January 7, 1904. Smaller
than compared examples, more deeply striate with confluent
punctures, and with slightly different markings, regarding which
Mr. Charles Liebeck has written: "about the usual size;
markings variable."
5581. Ochodczus biarmatus Le Conte. Sabine, May 24, 1904.
5591. Bolboceras lazarus Fabricius. College Station. April 14, 1904.
5691. Macrodactylus angustatus Beauvois. College Station, March 30,
1904.
5692. Macrodactylus unifonnis Horn. College Station, March 30,
1904.
5742. Lachnosterna torta Le Conte. College Station, July 8, 1904.
5894. Allorhina nitida Linnaeus. College Station, July 23, 1904.
5901. Euphoria kernii Haldeman. Cedars, May 28, 1904.
5941. Trichius viridulus Fabricius. Wellborn, Brazos river, March 30,
1904.
Family CERAMBYCID/E.
5953- Mallodon dasystomus Say. College Station.
5955- Mallodon serrulatus Le Conte. Wellborn, Brazos River, June 24,
1904.
5962. Prionus imbricornis Linnaeus. College Station, May i, 1904.
6008. Callidium antennatum Newman. College Station, February 5,
1904.
6038. Chion cincius Drury. Victoria, August 13, 1904.
6050. Romaleum atomariwm Drury. College Station, June 10, 1904.
6115. Callichroma plicalum Le Conte. No data.
61273. Tragidion coquus Linnaeus, variety fulvipenne Say. College
Station, February 18, 1903.
6196 Neoclyius fuscus Fabricius. Wellborn, Brazos River, June 24,
1904.
6210. Neoclytus erythrocephalus Fabricius. Wellborn, Brazos River,
August 12, 1904.
6471. Ataxia crypto. Say. Manor, October 5, 1904.
Family CHRYSOMELID^
6725, Fidia viticida Walsh. No data.
6800. Chrysomela disrupta Rogers. Courtney, October 7, 1902. Col-
lection of L. H. Scholl.
6821. Chry some/a auripemiis Say . College Station, December 12, 1903.
6978. Haltica nana Crotch. College Station, September 19, 1903. Ver-
ified by Charles Liebeck.
7032. Mantura floridana Crotch. College Statfon, May i, 1903.
7051. Chcetocnevna opacula Le Conte. College Station, May i, 1903.
7055. Chcelpcnema confinis Crotch. College Station, May i, 1903.
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 13
Family TENEBRIONID^E.
Emmenastus convexus Le Conte. Coletnan, August 23, 1902.
7201. Epitragus acutus Le Conte. Sabinal, May 24, 1904.
7359. Eleodes seriata Le Conte College Station.
7426. Opatrinus aciculatus Le Conte. College Station, December 20,
1903.
7438. Blapstinus pratensis Le Conte. Colorado, August 11,1903. Col-
lege Station, April 12, 1903, and February 27, 1904.
7573 Helops farctus Le Conte. College Station, June 10, 1904.
Family MORDELLIDyE.
7780. Mordefla scutellaris Fabricius. College Station, September 16,
1902.
Family ANTHICID^.
7869. Eurygenius wildii Le Conte. No data.
Family MELOIDyE.
8018. Henous confertus Say. College Station, May .28, 1903; Wellborn,
Brazos River, June 24, 1904.
8083. Epicauta sericans Le Conte. Montgomery, August 24, 1903.
8123. Pomphopcea texana Le Conte. Thornberry, April 4, 1903.
Family ATTELABID^.
8224. Attelabus ana/is Illiger. College Station, July 27, 1904.
Family OTIORHYNCHID,^.
8242. Ophryastes vittattts Say. Comanche, November 14, 1904.
8340. Eudiagogus pulcher Fahraeus. Wellborn, Brazos river, August
27, 1904. College Station, January 30, 1903.
Family CURCULIONID^E.
8370. Apion ovale Smith. Rockdale, June 22, 1901.
8478. Pachylobins picivorus Germar. Hughes Springs, Mayii, 1904;
College Station, June 10, 1904 ; Dekalb, August i, 1904. The
last in prime condition, not rubbed nor smeared.
8546. Desmoris constrictus Say. College Station ; Centre Point, June
i, 1904. Regarding this, Mr. A. F. Conradi has written:
"This species occurs abundantly over the entire settled por-
tions of the State of Texas, definitely known.'
8615. Magdalis barbita Say. Howe, March 22, 1904.
10985. Anthonomus grandis Boheman. College Station, June 12, 1904.
8726. Conotrachelus naso Le Conte. College Station, October 20,
1904.
14 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
8741 Rhyssematus palmacollis Say. Frost, May 28, 1904. " Hillsboro,
Malakoff, Victoria, and in fact it occurs all over the State,"
writes Mr. Conradi. Variety, with costse, apical margin and
spots on elytra rusty colored. Verified by Charles Liebeck.
8746. Chalcodermus ceneus Boheman. Denison, June 27, 1904.
8760. Acalles porosus Le Conte. San Antonio, March 30, 1904; Mar-
tindale, April 14, 1902.
8902. Aulobaris ibis Le Conte. College Station, December 18, 1904.
Family BRENTHID^
8967. Eupsalis minuta Drury. Wellborn, Brazos River, June 24, 1904.
Family ANTHRIBID^.
9222. Cratoparis lugubris Olivier. College Station, January 4, 1904.
. The species for which special mention should be given for
their determination are as follows :
1068. Discoderus impotens Le Conte. College Station, May i, 1904.
Determined by Charles Liebeck.
3098. Brae hy acantha bollii Crotch. College Station, June 4, 1903. De-
termined by Charles Liebeck as " large form." The yellow
spaces of basal and median portions of elytra are solidly
fused, without any indication of spots. College Station, May
10, 1905. C. E. Sanborn. Predaceous on plant lice.
4575. Psiloptera drummondi Laporte & Gory. College Station, June 20,
1902. Determined by Charles Liebeck.
10352. Fidia cana Horn. Dripping Springs, May 17, 1904. Determined
by Charles Liebeck. Badly crushed and broken.
7179. Conazcus ovipennis Horn. Comanche, August 17, 1901. Deter-
mined by Charles Liebeck.
8326. Achrastenus griseus Horn. Lovelady, March 24, 1904 ; Grape
Vine, no data ; Sidney, April 4, 1904. Determined by Charles
Liebeck.
Balaninus victoriensis Chittenden. Mead, Indian Territory. Sep-
tember 20, 1904 ; Lone Wolf, Oklohoma, September, 1904.
Determined by F. H. Chittenden.
8990. Sphenophorus cariosus Olivier. Moody, March 25, 1904. Deter-
mined by F. H. Chittenden.
9006. Sphenophorus compressirostris Say. No data. Determined by F.
H. Chittenden.
Summary : Species personally determined, 76
Species specially determined 9
Number of species reported 85
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 15
Editors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
Dear Sirs :
As to your course in publishing the injurious letter of Dr.
Jno. B. Smith, of New Jersey, in your Nov. issue, only re-
cently noted, it would seem a safe policy for any publication
first to make some inquiry as to whether there might not be an
animus beneath and no basis for such serious statements, and
even if found to be true, to be cautious in uttering a libel.
You ask me to be brief in writing and say you do not court
controversial articles. I should have supposed the opposite
to be the case, and rather that you would be glad to give one
so traduced the largest opportunity.
The pretext for the attack is that Dr. Smith's name is given
as one of the Advisory Board of Entomologists of the Am.
Mosquito Extermination Society in your October reprint of a
circular sent out generally by the Society in July last and be-
fore any declination had been received.
On February 19, 1904, we sent out a tentative circular
-headed " Printer's Proof "—to the two Advisory Boards,
saying to each person, including Dr. S., that he had been
selected on such board, and closed thus : ' We should be
greatly pleased to have your written acceptance of the part
appointed to you by the Executive Committe, but, knowing
your interest in the work, we will take the liberty of assuming,
in case we do not hear from you directly, that the appoint-
ment is accepted." Neither Dr. S. or any one else declined
and many even wrote acceptances and all names thereafter
permanently appeared. There was every evidence that he
tacitly accepted (audit is to be hoped that no bare techni-
cality covers his statement that his name appears without his
permission), for instance, his taking part in the December,
'05, Convention and making no objection to the appearance of
his name on the letterheads and prints of the Society, many
of which he received.
I had no knowledge of the bitterness which Dr. S. was
nursing until April 7, '05, when he wrote me of this, among
other things: " It may be well to advise my colleagues (on
the Ent. Adv. Bel.) who have been working on similar lines
1 6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Dan., '06
of what they have to expect from the Society, whose mouth-
piece you seem to be, that they may be on their guard." And
on the i4th of April he wrote on this subject to the Executive
Committee of the Society : "So far as the list is concerned,
my own name appears without authority, and I am advised by
others of my colleagues that they are in the same position."
(I should be glad to know of anyone not receiving the printed
circular letter of February, '04, for I find that every name is
checked as having been notified of their selection.)
Dr. Smith said nothing of wanting his name omitted until a
similar tentative circular for the next year was sent out on
August 26th last, which he acknowledges, and says : "I very
much prefer that you drop my name entirely from all connec-
tion with the A. M. E. Society," which was then done. His
lonely position is referred to, but not by name, in Bulletin
No. 2, sent you, dated September 26, '05 (which we trust you
will not be deterred from reprinting, at least in part), where
the paragraph begins : ' ' The character and reputation of the
gentlemen who have consented to serve on the Executive
Council and the Advisory Boards of the Society, reflect the
confidence of the community in our work," and which gives
the distinguished names of many who unnecessarily had writ-
ten of their pleasure and honor in the case.
I may say that a number of our officials, in answer to his
abusive letter of April 14, '05, had written Dr. S that he must
be laboring under a misapprehension and tried to calm him
down, but, apparently, fruitlessly, for his recent letter to you
says : ' ' Such use of my name was without my permission
and in spite of a very decided protest." Please note the dates
—that he declines on August 3oth for the first on receipt of a
new nomination and now protests, because his name appears
in a July circular, saying he had tried to get his name off the
list, as though we coveted the doubtful honor of keeping it on
against his will. So much for that insinuation !
But now, not for the pretext, but for the real though
strange point of his grievance, of which I first learned early
in March, 1905, when a mutual friend sent me a press clip-
ping with a severe comment. It gave a news item from
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. iy
Washington to the effect that Dr. S. had advised his repre-
sentative in Congress that the Bill (which the Society had
caused to be introduced. W.) was an unworthy one, that the
Society was composed of only a few persons and that Mr.
Weeks was simply working for a job. Dr. S. had doubtless
seen in the papers that the Secretary's Representative and the
Secretary had spoken in its favor before the Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce. The fact that the subject
was before that committee showed the character of the bill,
which was that the President appoint a commission to act
with one from New York and New Jersey, if such be appointed,
to consider the questions of the economic relief of the condi-
tions existing in the great marshes bordering on New York
and those of Long Island. The bill was modelled after a
similar one which failed through being introduced late in the
previous sessions at Washington and Albany. When the
question came up at a large meeting of the Executive Council
of the Society in January, '05, as to whether the bill should
be re-introduced, the treasurer, Mr. Frederick C. Beach, editor
and large owner of the Scientific American, amended so that
the bill should be also introduced in New Jersey, and later
agreed to its introduction, as he knew a member, and was fur-
nished with a copy of the New York bill of 1904 for a guide.
The Trenton bill mentioned certain officials for its commission,
and left six unnamed, so that (to answer Dr. S.) if the Gov-
ernor thought he was a suitable person for such a commission
he could have appointed him.
But the bill was not one for entomologists to consider but
mainly for engineers. It related to broad commercial and
economic questions, which only persons skilled in such could
intelligently consider. It seems rather strange for an ento-
mologist to court a place on such a commission, when mos-
quitoes were only incidently involved. And, yet, because he-
was not directly informed and specifically named, though he
knew in various ways of such action being proposed (for it
was mentioned in Bulletin i, of November, '04, and in press
items sent to him), he worked himself into a rage, dangerous
to himself and everybody else, and tries, by abusive letters to
18 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
the members, to discredit the secretary and break up the
Society for the temerity of its secretary who followed the di-
rection of its executive authority.
In the letter to me of April 7, '05, before referred to, Dr.
S. writes of the Trenton bill being introduced at my request.
He also inquires in the letter to members of our Ex. Com.
(April 14, '05), whether the introduction of the bill was
really an action of the Ex. Com., and whether "it is the
policy of the society to ignore and condemn as unworthy of
consideration all work not done under its seal." He goes on
at great length and with an evident feeling of personal conse-
quence, with which his letter to you is also saturated : ' It
is a matter of importance to me to know whether this society
acts through a responsible committee or through an irrespon- ,
sible secretary who assumes the right of speaking for it."
In this letter to the committee he enclosed a copy of the one to
me of April 7, wherein he recites his claims to recognition, as
well as of others, and says : " You were careful to keep from
all these parties all knowledge of this measure and to care-
fully exclude them from the commission proposed in your
bill. You placed the treasurer of your society, for which
you purported to act, in the light of an ignoramus by credit-
ing him with preparing the bill." The fact was, I had not
mentioned a single official to be appointed on the New Jersey
commission.
Mr. Beach immediate!)' wrote Dr. S. that it was he who, at
a large meeting of the Executive Committee, moved the in-
troduction of the N. J. bill, that he assumed all responsibility
for the bill, completely taking all blame, if any. And yet,
Dr. S. in the NEWS, repeats the same charges against me as to
the bill and "sneak" legislation. I wish I could give full
copies of these strange letters of Dr. S. They are filled with
the most high-tempered words.
A number, besides Mr. Beach, wrote Dr. S. a ' soft
answer ' to his ' ' personal letter to every member of the
Executive Committee," but it failed to turn away his wrath.
It was predicted that "if he is of normal constitution he cer-
tainly will, on reflection, be mortified at the position in which
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 19
he has placed himself ' But, not at all, he repeats the same
things to you, though corrected by Mr Beach, and assured of
his error by a number who replied and was even still " warmly
invited to co-operate with us, as our aims are one."
On May 3oth I wrote him also a courteous note, referring to
his attacks and threats, which was delayed by serious illness
from gratuitous over- work in the Society, saying : "I would
be much obliged if you will inform the Society to what you
refer in letter of April 7th, ' So far the Am. Mos. Ex. Soc. has
appeared to be a hindrance instead of an aid to the rational
methods of dealing with the mosquito question in New Jersey.'
If we cannot aid, we certainly do not wish to hinder." But
no answer came.
Is there any cause for these injurious acts? None whatever
that I am aware of. I have had no difficulty with Dr. Smith.
On the other hand, I have always, individually and as secre-
tary, treated him with due respect. In the arrangement of
the programs of our conventions he has always been accorded
an important part, and though at these times he has taken
occasion in his addresses to cavil at something in the arrange-
ment, it has been passed unnoticed.
I have given the representativess of Dr. Smith time and
courteous attention when he has sent them to look over my
work in the field and returned messages with them that at any
time I should be glad to give him any benefit of my experience
for his work.
On social occasions he has received all due courtesy and
attention.
And yet I have never met Dr. S. intimately, and never per-
sonally but three or four times. So I can only judge him by
insight. I have had many letters from him, and I must refer
to the very first one — of some years ago— for the impression
made on my mind then was that any one, speaking as he did
therein of his confreres, enjoyed controversy, and surely was
one to be careful of. This feeling was strengthened later when
he wrote to me disparagingly of those persons in his own
State who sought advice on the mosquito propositions from
different experts, for he had learned that some owners had
presumed to call me into N. J. to investigate and report.
2O ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
It was through no fault of mine that this condition of things
existed and these calls came, and that since then and even now
for some weeks I have been making mosquito surveys in that
State notwithstanding the great activity of Dr. S. in the cause.
In every case these calls have been the result of my previous
work elsewhere, and for this I should not suffer. I have not
sought to invade another's territory, if one could make the
singular claim of exclusive territory.
This leads me to say that I can only think, and others who
know Dr. S. much better confirm the idea, that it is because
of the results of my work and because many times I have gone
into N. J. to speak and work, that he holds these bitter feel-
ings—the promptings of a strange jealousy. It would seem
that the common enemy was numerous enough to engage all
the attention of all the fighters and that they should not be
compelled to fight at law or otherwise to defend themselves.
I will ask that the covert advertisements of himself which
Dr. S. injects in his letter, be noticed in view of his saying
the Society " is simply an attempt to advertise its secretary,"
thus implying incompetency against those in the society — some
of the most astute men in the country. May I assure your
readers of the fact that though I have given some of the best
years of my life to the society and cause and broken my health
largely through these efforts, I have never received a single
fee as the result of my relation to the society or an}' compen-
sation for my incessant labors in it. The little puff introduced
of a close figure of an estimate and a contract is easily ex-
plained by the fact that Dr. S. has frequently written of the
cost of ditching and a contract based on that might be high
or low.
Dr. Smith knows of the explanation of the use of Gov.
Murphy's name as chairman of the first convention, for it is
stated in the published report of the convention, and yet he
speaks of the Governor's emphatic refusal to act as presiding
officer. That little insight indicates that Dr. S. saw the gov-
ernor or his secretary and knew of some emphatic refusal
which never reached me. Was there any reason ?
Some strong statements in the letter to you as to the pro-
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 21
•gress of certain mosquito extermination work compels me to
say that I greatly fear there is going to be sad disappointments
and that the cause is going to be greatly retarded by a heavy
failure in promised results. All mosquito work demands the
most radical methods and anything less should not be recom-
mended by anyone who appreciated the necessities of the case,
unless he was blinded by an overruling confidence in his
abilities and knowledge.
Personally, I would prefer to await results and then let others
do the puffing and not myself. I should prefer to be less dog-
matic, less opinionated and very careful not to draw positive
generalizations on insufficient data, especially in investigations
as new as those of mosquito habits and destruction.
A few years will be sufficient to determine whether a radical
or a superficial course of treatment is the better.
But to close what has been made lengthy by the number of
insinuations, taking but a word or two to express, possibly it
would have been safer if attention had been paid to the in-
jurious words of Dr. S. in the first instance, for usually a per-
son of the mind he seems to have is only encouraged by the
weakness of his victims. — HENRY CLAY WEEKS, Bayside, L.
I., New York.
— • <»> • —
Harrisimemna trisignata Walk.
BY RICHARD F. PEARSALL.
In the October number of ENT. NEWS a brief note by Mr.
Franklin Sherman, Jr., upon the pupation of the species, closes
with these queries, viz :—
r. If this habit (as given in his text) has been noted before.
2. What the normal pupating habit of the species is.
3. Whether such habit is known in any other Lepidopter-
ous insect.
On July 8, 1897, in the Catskill Mountains I took two of
these larvae feeding upon the leaves of the Bush Honey-suckle
(Diervilla trijida). They were nearly full grown and when
captured were greatly disturbed, holding with the hind legs to
the twigs and elevating the body, at the same time shaking
in a tremulous fashion, as if seized with a chill, quite geome-
22 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., 'c6
triform in appearance. Not knowing their habits I placed a
quantity of trash in the glass jars and one of them commenced
gnawing at the small pieces of wood. Seeing this I supplied
a larger piece of dead limb, perhaps an inch in diameter, into
which my larva made its burrow, sealing it up, exactly as
described by Mr. Sherman. The moth came out the following
year. This then may be accepted as its normal habit.
Now as to the third query ; and here I record one of the
greatest disappointments I ever experienced in the rearing of
larvae.
In the same year while examining a group of Choke Cherry
(Cerasis virginiana), second year's growth, I saw on the top of
a leaf what I first took to be a mass of bird droppings, but on
closer observation it turned out to be a shining, slimy-looking,
gray and white larva, about half an inch long coiled up at rest.
I put it in a glass jar with food plant and at first it fed only
at night. As it grew larger it fed freely during the day, and
at its final moult, changed to the most beautiful larva I have
seen. It was then about one and one-quarter inches long, of
a deep prussian blue, its skin smooth, like silk, marked on the
dorsum from the third to the ninth segment, with a series of
large oval cream yellow spots, placed crosswise like saddles,
one on each segment. From each end of these projected at an
angle of forty- five degrees, a narrow spatula-shaped ribbon
like appendage of the same cream yellow color. I had never
seen such a creature and I tended it carefully. One day I was
changing its food and while doing so the dinner bell rang and
I left it forgetting in my haste to place the glass cover on the
jar. When I returned from my meal, imagine my horror at
finding my jar uncovered with the window near it open and
my specimen gone. On the floor beneath my table on which
the jar stood, I had, some days before, placed two or three
pieces of old fence rail, and as I glanced about in my searcli
for it there was my larva calmly boring into one of them. I
did not disturb it but watched all afternoon as it cut out
rounded pellets and threw them aside, burying itself from
sight by night fall and by next morning it had sealed the open-
ing so neatly as to be hardly distinguished from the gray color
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 23
of the old wood. Surely after such a piece of good fortune it
would disclose the imago, and tell me what it was. For three
years I kept that chunk of wood on my hatching box, after
carefully carrying it home so as to prevent jaring, and no moth
emerged. Finally I split it open, and after this lapse of time
the pupa seemed plump and clean. Its shell was granular and
tough, reddish in color, much like the pupa of an Alypia octo-
niaculata, I kept it a while longer but it never disclosed the
imago.
What was it ? Can anyone tell me ? I have searched the
same region and locality every summer since but have never
taken it again.
The larva of Apatela lithospila also has the same habit of
pupation.
On Certain Tropical Ants Introduced Into the United
States.
BY WILLIAM MORTON WHEELER.
In a collection of Formicidge belonging to the Philadelphia
Academy of Natural Sciences and sent me for identification by
Dr. Henry Skinner, I find a number of specimens of Monomor-
iitin destructor. This ant, originally described from India by
Jerdon,* though introduced into the tropics of the New World,
has not been recorded heretofore from the United States. The
specimens are labeled "Black Warrior River, Tuscaloosa
County, Alabama," and " Seminole Point, Monroe County,
Florida," collected by Mr. Clarence B. Moore. As these
localities are widely separated, one being at the tip of the
peninsula of Florida, the other in the northwestern portion of
Alabama, we may infer that the species has either been recently
introduced at different points or is already widely distributed
in the eastern Gulf States. That it is of comparatively recent
importation from the tropics there can be little doubt.
In his original description of Atta destructor, Jerdon give>
the following brief account of the habits of the diminutive
workers : " They live in holes in the ground or in walls, etc.,
* Madras Journ. of I.iU. and Si\ x\ ii, i^.si, p. 10=,. .il»uartnl in Ann Mai;. Nat. Hist,
(2), xiii, 1854, ]'. 47.
24 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. LJan-' '°6
and are very numerous in individuals. They prefer animal to
vegetable substances, destroying dead insects, bird skins, etc.,
but also feed greedily on sugar. They are very common in all
parts of India, and often prove very troublesome and destruct-
ive to the naturalist." The bad reputation of this ant is ex-
pressed in two other names which have been given it by
Frederic Smith and Gerstgecker, on the supposition that it had
not been previously described ; the former calling it Myrmica
vastator, the latter Myrmica ominosa. The insect is repeatedly
met with in the literature under these and other names like
Monomorium atomaria and M. basale.
There are now three imported species of Monomorium in the
United States, all of which have probably been carried by ships
from their original home in southeastern Asia, namely : M.
pharaonis, M. floricola and M. destructor. The first is a widely
distributed house-ant, not only in the tropics, but also in tem-
perate Europe and America; the second is tropicopolitan,
though it manages to subsist in our northern green-houses ;
the last, as I have just shown, has begun to spread into tem-
perate North America. In a recent paper* I recorded the
introduction of a fourth Monomorium (M. salomonis L,inn), a
well-known North African species, into the Bahamas.
Another small tropical ant which has recently gained a foot-
hold in the United States is Iridomyrmex hnmilis Mayr. This
species has been taken in numbers in New Orleans by Mr. E.
S. G. Titus. As a native of the New World, it was supposed
to be confined to South America (Brazil and Argentina). It
is not included among the known Mexican or Central Ameri-
can ants, nor can I find any record of its occurrence in the
West Indies.
According to Stollf this ant has also been imported into
Madeira where it has become a pest in houses and has sup-
planted another previously introduced ant (P/icidole intgaff-
phala Fabr.^) which was the house-ant of Madeira in the days
of Heer.j Some idea of the numbers of Ph. mcgaccphala in
Madeira in the middle of the last century may be gained from
* The Ants of the Bahamas. Bull. Am. Mus, M;il. Hist. x\i, i<io.s, p. 89.
; /in Krnntniss dn ;;i-<>L;iaphischen YerbrriUiii.n drr . \mrisrn. Mitt. a. schweiz. en torn.
I rl < II. \, 3. 1898, pp. I '"-126.
| IVIiir ilii- HaMsaiiH-isc M:idi iias. An die /uiirlici JuL;rnd auf das Jahr 1852 v. d.
natintursrli. Gesell. 54 Stuck, i.s.sj, pp. 1-24 Taf.
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 25
the following extract from Heer's work : ' It occurs through-
out the southern portion of the island of Madeira up to an
elevation of 1,000 feet in prodigious numbers, especially in hot,
sunn)' places, where it is to be found under eight out of every
ten stones that may be overturned. In the city of Funchal
there is probably not a single house that is not infested with
millions of these insects. They climb to the top stories, issue
in swarms from the cracks in walls and floors and keep traver-
sing the rooms in all directions in regular files. They creep
up the legs of the tables, along their edges and into the cup-
boards, chests, etc. On account of their extremely diminu-
tive size they are able to enter the smallest holes and
crevices. Even when thousands and thousands of them are
killed, there is no reduction in their numbers, as fresh armies
are continually arriving." The recent displacement of this
pest by another, Iridomyrmex humilis, bears a close and inter-
esting analogy to the well-known displacement in Europe and
America of the black house-rat (Mus rattns) by the brown
species (M. decuman-its). In a similar manner, according to
Stoll, another ant, Plagiolepis longipcs Jerdon, introduced into
the island of Reunion from its original home in Cochin China,
has driven out some of the primitive autochthonous species.
We may also look forward to the appearance of this same ant
within the warmer portions of the United States, since it has
already been recorded by Pergande from Todos Santos in
Lower California.*
Still another foreign ant which has acquired a footing in
tropical Florida and probably also in other localities in the
Gulf States, is Prenolepis longicornis L/atreille. It has also be-
come a common species in the green houses of temperate
Europe and America. In some of these, as in the Jardin des
Plantes in Paris, it has been a permanent resident for more
than forty years. It may sometimes be found even on the top
floors of the great apartment buildings in New York City.
Wasmanf has just given good reasons for believing that the
* Formiridae of Loxvrr Calil'oi nia. Mc\i, ... Proc. Cala. Ar.-itl . ^> p
t Zur Lebensweise einigei in- mid au.slandiM-lu-n Ameisenga t< Wandi.-rim.ui-n M>H
ColuiH-i-ra maderae \Ynll. (m-ulaia Bel.) mil I'li-nuK-pis liiiisji omi-. I .ati . Zeitschr. f. wiss,
Insect. -biol. Bd. I, Hrft <>. Sept. 17, 1905, pp. ,N-V)0.
26 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
original home of this ant is India and that it has been carried
to all parts of the tropics in ships. He shows that it has been
accompanied in these wanderings by two myrmecophiles, a
L/athridiid beetle (Coluocera madcra} and a small cricket
{Myrmecophila acervorum var. flavocinda.}
Notes on Collecting in Mexico.
BY J. F. McCLENDON, University of Pa., Philadelphia.
In the summer of 1902. while seeking the cool plateau of
Mexico as a quiet retreat to pursue my studies, I found near
Guadalajara, Jalisco, some Neuropterous insects that were new
to me, and the next summer planned a trip to Jalisco to col-
lect insects and some other zoological specimens. Many of
the specimens I took have been used in preparation of the
Biologia Centrali-Americana, and at the request of Dr. P. P.
Calvert I give the following account of my trip:
On June 12, 1903, I crossed the border at Eagle Pass and
reached Guadalajara by the Mexican International & Central
Railways. Most of the suburbs of this city are covered
by crops of corn and tobacco, but the ravine of the San-
tiago forms an admirable collecting ground for an entomol-
ogist, and here and in some deserted parks I spent most
of my time. The altitude and the frequent rains of this sea-
son made the air very cool and most of, the insects caught
were nearctic, save at the bottom of the ravine, where, amid
oranges, bananas and other tropical plants, are found many
forms that have strayed from the hot shores of the Pa-
cific. The further down the river I went, the more tropi-
cal forms were met with, but as the natives were not in-
clined to be civil, I did not go further than the Barranca de San
Juan. One hideous night at that hacienda discouraged un-
scientific zeal, and I preferred to lose a few hours on mule
back each day rather than repeat such an experience. I
went up in the mountains as far as Zapotlanejo, about
20 miles east of Guadalajara on horseback, and succeeded
in returning with some specimens. Although I did not
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
have to sleep in the portal, as at San Juan the best " room"
I could get had no window-
In September I spent a week at Tuxpan, near the construc-
tion camp of that branch of the Mexican Central Railway and
about 30 miles from the volcano of Colima. That was a lonely
place, but the volcano, looking down on all the country round
and expressing its varying moods in wreaths of white steam or
black smoke or casting a red glow on the clouds at night, was
a companion to me. Although much nearer the sea level,
Tuxpan is cool in summer and has many nearctic besides
tropical forms of insects. The leaf-cutter ant cuts roads
through the grass and the Kelep ant swarms up the stems of
shrubs in the same field. At this time I did not know that
this large ant was the one introduced against the boll weevil,
although I looked for the latter in vain. The natives of Tux-
pan have some strange ceremonies developed from Indian
dances and ideas gotten from Spanish missionaries, and the
place is of interest to a tourist. Returning to Guadalajara I
remained until the latter part of September, when I left the
Republic.
— ' <•» ' —
A New Fossil Ant.
BY T. D. A. COCKERELL.
Florissant, not far from Pike's Peak, in Colorado, has long
been known as a wonderful locality for fossil plants and insects.
It is, in fact, a sort of Tertiary Pompeii where the fauna and
flora of an ancient period are almost perfectly preserved in fine
mud and sand, ejected by the volcanoes which at that time
were in full operation in the Rocky Mountain region. During
the present year, collections have been made at Florissant 1»\
Judge J. Henderson and Dr. F. Ramaley, of the University of
Colorado, and while most of the specimens are plants, there
are a few insects. In the first railroad cutting east of Floris-
sant was obtained an excellently preserved spider, Clubiona
arcana Scudder, $ ; at a different place, the northwest corner
of " Fossil Stump Hill," an ant was found belonging to an
uudescribed species.
28 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
Ponera hendersoni n. sp.
?. Length about n mm. ; black ; anterior wing about 8 mm. ; head
rather small, length slightly over 2 mm. ; width of abdomen a little over
2 mm. Nervures strong and dark ; the venation is in general similar to
that of P. coarctata Latr., (cf. Wheeler, Biol. Bull., 1900, p. 47), but dif-
fers as follows : Stigma longer and narrower, its lower edge nearly
straight ; marginal cell longer, but not approaching so near the apex of
the wing, the latter being also more produced ; costal cell broader in the
middle, and giving off the basal nervure further from the stigma ; first
submarginal cell long, though not as long as the marginal ; the first sub-
marginal extends further basad than in P. coarctata, but not so far apicad,
as the radial nervure is given off about the middle of the stigma, instead
of beyond its middle as in P. coarctata ; first discoidal cell longer, being
much longer than high, with the first recurrent nervure more oblique ;
second submarginal cell about as in P. coarctata. Femora rather broad.
The abdomen and other parts seem to present no distinctive features,
except tbat the ocelli are smaller and closer together than in P. coarctata.
Named after the collector, who is a well-known student of
Colorado palaeontology. Type in the University of Colorado
Museum ; it is intended to publish a figure later in connection
with a general account of the Florissant collections.
Children, if you meet a cricket,
Please remember not to kick it ;
Not a youth whose nature's sweet'll
Strike a ladybug or beetle.
If a daddy longlegs passes,
Do not slay it (as alas ! is
Often done by wicked urchins,
Who deserve the soundest birchin's).
When a gnat— that lively hummer,
Which you'll hear when it is summer,
Comes a-buzzing round your hat, it
Is wrong to throw a pebble at it.
Do not think me sentimental
When I ask you to be gentle
With the insect population
Of our free and glorious nation.
If you're kind in this partic'lar,
They will buzz in your auric'lar ;
Every child, of course, can see
What a pleasure that will be.— London Globe.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NKWS solicit and will thankfully receive items
of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given
in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at oui
earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep-
tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num-
ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or
important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five " extras," without change in form,
will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along
with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — ED.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., JANUARY, 1906.
It will be remembered that we decided to place on the cover
of each volume of the NEWS the most interesting, curious or
wonderful insect described from North America in the pre-
ceding year. We asked for suggestions from our subscribers
as to the selection of the insect, but never received any, so if
our selection is poor they can have no legitimate complaint.
Our first effort resulted in a bee-
tle being selected (Ignotus ccnig-
maticus Slosson), the second was
a bee, and now we present a dip-
teron. This curious species was
described by Mr. D. W. Coquil-
lett in the Canadian Entomolo-
gist, p. 347, 1905- Specimens
were collected by Prof. Cockerell
on the summit of L,as Vegas
Mountains, New Mexico, and
by Mr. Henry L. Viereck on top
of the main range of the Rocky
Mountains, near Beulah, New
. , ,
Mexico. These are probably
identical localities. The specimens collected by Mr. Viereck
are in the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of
Philadelphia. In the future we hope to have aid from our
subscribers in the selection of each year's insect.
aspidobtera Coquillett.
29
3O ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
Notes and Ne\vs.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OP THE GLOBE.
NOMENCLATURE OF CERTAIN NORTH AMERICAN ODONATA. — Recent
work on the " Biologia Centrali-Americana " has directed my attention
to questions of nomenclature of some familiar North American species
as follows :
1. Hagen, in his Synopsis of i86r, gave, as one of the species of
Libellula, L. luctuosa Burm., and placed L. basalts Say as a synonym
thereof. In his Synopsis of 1875, he gave basalis Say as the name of the
species and placed luctuosa Burm. as the synonym, and American authors
since have followed his later example. Hagen's reversal was apparently
due to a change in his ideas as to the relative priority of Burmeister's
and Say's names, both of which were published in 1839. On this question
I have no fuller information than that given by Hagen in Psyche, v,
p. 369, but the correct name of this species now appears to be ascertain-
able on other grounds. Mr. Kirby, in his catalogue of 1890, p. 29, uses
luctuosa as the name of the species and basalis as the synonym. He
does not indicate his reason for so doing, as he has done on the same
page in the case of axilena vs. lydia. A study of this Catalogue, how-
ever, led me to the following data : Newman, in 1833, described Synipe-
trum basalis (now regarded as a synonym of .5". sanguineum Miiller,
1764). Stephens, in 1835, redescribed Newman's species as Libellula
basalis ; consequently both Say's Libellula basalis of 1839, and Libellula
basalis Burm., 1839, a name for a still different species, are homonyms
and must be rejected. The proper names and the synonymy of the
last two species would therefore be—
Libellula luctuosa Burm., 1839.
Libellula basalis Say, 1839.
Libelhda odiosa Hagen, 1861.
Be Ionia luctuosa et odiosa Kirby, 1890.
Tramea incerta (Ramb., 1842).
Libellula basalis Burm., 1839.
Tramea basalis Kirby, 1890.
2. Hagen, in his Synopsis of 1861, established the genera Erythetnis
(p. 168), under which stand as species: i. furcata Hag., 2 bicolor
Erich., 3. longipes Hag , and Mesothemis (p. 170) including i. sinip/i-
cicollis Say, 2. collocata Hag., 3. corrupta Hag., 4. illota Hag., 5.
attala Selys, 6. niithra Selys, 7. longipennis Burm. He did not spe-
cify a type-species for either genus. This was first done by Mr. Kirby,
in his Revision of the Libellulinae of 1889, in which he named bicolor as
the type of Erythemis, and siniplicicollis as that of Mcsolhcmis. llicolor
is a synonym of peruviana Ramb., and between this species and shnpli-
cicollis I can find no differences of generic value. Both
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 31
(bicolor] and simplicicollis must be placed in the same genus, and as
Erythetnis precedes Mesothemis in Hagen's work, Erythemis must be
the name of that genus. Consequently a very familiar dragonfly of the
United States must be styled Erythemis simplicicollis (Say).
A different conclusion will be drawn by those who take the first species
enumerated under a new generic name as the type thereof. Furcata
Hagen is generically different from bicolor Erichs. and is a Cannacria
Kirby. To the " first species = type" school, simplicicollis will remain
a Mesothemis, and Cannacria will disappear as a synonym of Erythemis.
Present rules, however, would appear to favor the preceding view, which
is that which has been adopted for the ' Biologia.'
3. I merely mention that in the ' Biologia' return has been made to
the original spelling sEshna, instead of the later ALschna.
PHILIP P. CALVERT.
CORRECTION TO THE LIST OF NEW ENGLAND ODONATA. — In the
recently (October, 1905) published list of New England Odonata (Occa-
sional Papers, Boston Soc. Nat. Hist , vii, Fauna of New England .6.
List of the Odonata), I included Argia apicalis (Say) on the authority
of the late Prof. Harvey. Prof Harvey's record was published in the
NEWS, ii, p. 51. Mr. E. B. Williamson, who recently acquired part of
Prof. Harvey's collection, writes me as follows : " I see Arg. apicalis is
recorded from New England on Harvey's collecting. You will notice in
Harvey's record in ENT. NEWS that this specimen was taken same date
and place m putrida. A few days ago I started to list the Harvey collec-
tion . . . and I find a 9 Argia labelled by him apicalis, date as recorded
in ENT. NEWS, associated in box with 29 9, unlabelled. All three are
very adult specimens oipuirida. As you have probably noticed, the very
adult 9 9 of putrida become pearly-blue like apicalis and not a dense,
dingy-white pruinose like old males." Apicalis is consequently to be
stricken from the list, until, as is likely, it be found in New England. -
PHILIP P. CALVERT.
RARE OHIO LEPIDOPTERA.— I send a few records of rare captures
which may be of interest. On July 2nd, 1905, I took a fresh specimen of
Calephelis borealis, and on October 3rd a torn specimen of Catopsilia
eubitle, both new to this locality. While bush-beating for larvae on linden I
got a larva, which hatched out on August 3rd a fine tf of Thecla m-albnm.
Only once before has this been taken here. I saw in the NEWS that
Eros aurora had been taken in numbeis in the East. On September
lyth, around two rotten stumps, I took twenty-five fresh specimens, and
might have taken more if it had not set in to rain. I took several more
later. Previous to this I only had one specimen. 1 have been especially
interested in the Bombycidae and Geometrician, and the past season
reared quite a number of the larvce of those species.— G. R. PILATE, 321
Forest Avenue, Dayton, Ohio.
3? ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
OUR criticism of the hasty publication of entomological facts has
brought us a letter from Mr. Sherman and a note in print from Miss
Soule. Both make the excuse that literature is difficult of access. It is
a maxim that ignorance of the law excuses no one. Ignorance of pre-
vious work should result, not in hasty publication, but in consultation of
someone better posted, or in discreet silence. The officers of the U. S.
National Museum will always reply to questioners seeking information
of this nature. We would reply to Miss Soule that we have no objection
to "popular" articles that are frankly such and give proper credit to
antecedent work.
We have criticised authors for hasty and uncritical work ; but there is
another aspect of the case. What is the condition of editorial respon-
sibility in a journal that accepts these articles without question ? — HAR-
RISON G. DYAR.
GUELPH, CANADA, Dec. 9, 1905.
EDITOR NEWS :—
I must confess to a feeling of relief upon seeing Dr. Dyar taken to task
in the last issue of the NEWS by both Dr. Skinner and Miss Soule, for
it shows that I am not alone in my dislike for unnecessary and caustic
rebukes. The brief article which I recently contributed to the NEWS on
the pupating habit of Harrisimemna trisignata was not specially in-
tended for use as a leading article, but even if it did so appear it does
not seem to me that it need bring out any severe rebuke. Two other
entomologists kindly wrote me immediately after the appearance of the
article giving me the information I needed, and which I asked for, while
Dr. Dyar published a brief and caustic rebuke a month later, so that it
was of no help to me whatever. I do not see the use of one being so
anxious to critizise every imaginary or real mistake. I wrote Dr. Dyar
a personal letter containing much the same sentiments expressed in Miss
Soule's note, and had ho intention of taking this matter into print and
only do so now lest my reticence in the matter should be misunderstood.
If anyone will read my article in the NEWS for October, I think he will
agree that Dr. Dyar's remarks in the issue for November are needlessly
harsh, if not altogether uncalled for. —FRANKLIN SHERMAN, JR.
WE can't refrain from noticing Dr. Dyar's criticism as it is so mani-
festly unjust. We were not previously aware that the law and entomol-
ogy were on a par, but, as Dr. Dyar says they are, that is the end of it.
If writers for the NEWS wish to submit their articles to the officers of the
U. S. National Museum we offer no objection. That the polyp/iciuits
moth has stemmed and stemless cocoons has been known to the
Editor of the NKWS for at least thirty years, and, moreover, he published
the fact six years before the citation given by Dr. Dyar. He is also aware
that the same thing was published in 1797, and by later writers, includ-
ing Dr. Riley, in the Missouri Reports. The writer wrote to Miss
Soule stating he had found many such cocoons, but as he was interested
in her studies of the matter and thought other NEWS readers would
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 33
be also, he put the article in the NEWS. Miss Soule has a love
for natural history and her endeavor to find out the distribution
of the stemmed and stemless cocoon is most praiseworthy. She
gives her experience with cocoons in Eastern New York, Massa-
chusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, and the pith of the whole
matter is in the concluding paragraph on page 175 of vol. xvi. We
are not greatly troubled by Dr. Dyar's remarks on "The condition of
editorial responsibility," as the success of the NEWS shows. We pub-
lish in the NEWS what we think of interest to its readers, and the assump-
tion that everything is new and that if it is not it is due to ignorance
of the facts on the part of the editors is preposterous. We don't live
on ice water. We were also aware that the life history of Harrisimennia
trisignala had been studied by a number of entomologists, but as the
article on that subject interested our readers and brought valuable com-
ment we are also satisfied on that score. Our space is too valuable and
limited to publish a bibliography with each article. — H. S.
T. Polyphemus COCOONS. — In answer to my question about the forms
of polyphemus cocoons, I have had many interesting letters whose reports
I give briefly.
From Massachussetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont " no
stems " were reported ; " never heard of one with a stem " being added
more than once.
Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania report both forms, sometimes
one given as predominating, sometimes the other.
One collector in New Jersey gives figures : out of 20,000 cocoons but
200 had stems.
Missouri has both forms according to two collectors ; all stems, accord-
ing to one, all stems except one specimen, according to another.
Indiana — all stems except one specimen
Ohio — all stems, " even when spun in a cage," one student writes.
From Canada a small percentage of stems is reported, and this form is
thought, by two persons, to be made by diseased or parasitized larvae
in Canada.
Cocoons with stems, sent me from the West, gave superb moths, but
two similar ones gave parasites, indicating that these have no connection
with the form of cocoon.
Of course, these reports are not enough to justify any theory, and the
reports from any state might be balanced by the experience of collectors
who have not sent any information, so there is nothing final reached.
One interesting fact was given. A collector wrote that the form with
stems was always found on maples on the streets of towns, while the
stemless form was found in the woods, either on the ground or spun
against the trunk or branch of a tree. The same difference was noted by
two other persons, one of whom Miggested that the susp'-iiMon might be
because in the streets the leaves on the ground were cleared away in the
autumn. — CAROLINE GRAY SOULE.
34 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
STRATEGUS INJURING DATE-PALMS. — Professor R. H. Forbes recently
sent me a fine male Strategus jii/ianus, which he reported as eating
roots of date palms in Arizona. I am indebted to Mr. Fall for assist-
ance in determining the species. In Alabama, .5". antams has been
reported to injure peach roots (cf. Bull. 22, Div. Ent. , Dep. Agr., p. 105.
-T. D. A. COCKERELL.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF HELICONIUS CHARITONIUS LINN^US IN THE
UNITED STATES. — That this distinctly tropical butterfly has a wider
range within the United States than has heretofore been assigned to
it by authors has come to the knowledge of the writer. One of his
valued correspondents, residing in Waco, Texas, informs him in a recent
letter that he has captured three specimens of the insect at the latter
place, and he is further informed by one of his assistants, who was long
resident in Kansas, that he himself has seen several specimens in the
possession of local collectors in Kansas, which were taken in the southern
part of that State. That these specimens taken in Kansas are individuals
which strayed northward is no doubt true, but that the insect occurs in
considerable numbers as far north as central Texas is proved by recent
observations. If occurring as far north as Kansas, it may also well
occur, and undoubtedly does occur, in Louisiana, and possibly also as a
straggler in Arkansas. --W. J. HOLLAND.
INSECT GALLS. — There has just come to hand a very useful and nicely-
illustrated paper on the "Insect galls of Indiana," written by Dr. M. T.
Cook (who is now in Cuba), and published by the Department of Geo-
logy and Natural Resources of Indiana. It is much to be hoped that
this paper will stimulate interest in this rather neglected subject, which
in Europe has such a large following that a journal is published, devoted
exclusively to it. While we must confess that galls have received
only a small fraction of the attention they deserve in this country,
we must protest against the idea prevalent in some quarters that nothing
has been done. On two different occasions, Dr. Bessey referred (in Sci-
ence) to Dr. Cook's papers as if they constituted practically the first lit-
erature on galls in America. Even Dr. Cook himself, although he
announces that he is working on a monograph of the insect-galls of North
America, states that Coccid galls have only been reported from Austra-
lia, whereas they are known from the United States, Ceylon, South
Africa, etc.
I notice that Dr. Cook retains the name Pemphigus vagabundus Walsh,
for the gall on cottonwood usually known by this name. Oestlund
(Aphididse of Minnesota, 1887, p. 22) showed that this was not the true
vagabundus of Walsh, but did not propose a new name. I propose that
the P. vagabnndus of Oestlund, described in the place cited, be known
as Pemphigus cestlundi. It is found as far west as Colorado. Walsh's
species is probably unrecognizable. — T. D. A. COCKERELL.
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 35
A FEATHERED worm has made its appearance in different parts of the
State of North Carolina, and a number of people have been made very
ill by its bite.
The insect is not unlike a white earth worm, but has a covering of
brown down, similar to that of a young bird. Its bite is so poisonous
that in a few seconds after receiving the wound the victim swells enor-
mously and displays symptoms not unlike those of a snake bite.
The worm feeds on maple trees and rose bushes. Its presence on the
latter accounts for the number of women victims. No one is able to
classify the insect. Several specimens are being prepared for shipment
to Washington for examination to establish its identity. — New York Times.
Doings of Societies.
The October meeting of the Newark Entomological Society
was held on the 8th, with President Keller in the chair and 24
members present.
Messrs. J. Schmich, M. Schulze and B. Porter were proposed
and elected to membership.
The following captures were reported :
Ardia redilinca, by Mr. Wormsbacher.
Melanomma auricindaria (Lep.) and Catocala relida at New-
ark, by Mr. Broadwell.
Mr. Buchholz exhibited a $ of Argynnis idalia, caught
by himself at Plainfield, N. J., with primaries almost black;
secondaries entirely black on top and marginal row of silvery
spots underneath absent ; submarginal row almost wanting
and inner ones greatly reduced.
Semiophora janualis, Agrotis geniculata, Porosagrotis murce-
nulc, Mamestra laudabilis and Acronyda tritona at L/akehurst,
N. J., were reported by Messrs. Keller and Buchholz.
After adjournment of the business meeting the 2ist anni-
versary of the Society was celebrated ; a good supper and
refreshments were amply provided for by the committee in
charge. The music was furnished by Professors Weidt and
Wormsbacher and an all around good humor prevailed until
the end.
The November meeting of the Newark Entomological So-
ciety was held on the i2th, with President Keller in the chair
and 13 members present.
The officers' election resulted as follows: President, Mr.
36 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
Geo. J. Keller, re-elected ; Vice President, Mr. H. H. Brehme ;
Secretary, Mr. Otto Buchholz, re-elected ; Treasurer, Mr. S.
Seib, re-elected ; Librarian, Mr. Wm. Broadwell, re-elected ;
Curator (Lep.), Mr. J. B. Angelman, re-elected; Curator
(Col.), Mr. E. A. Bischoff, re-elected.
Mr. Wasmuth exhibited some rare specimens of Lepidoptera;
among them were : Sphinx franckii, Sphinx canadcnsis, Ellema
coniferarum (larvae), Papilio philenor u'asmuthi, 9 of Arctia
nevadensis, Catocala elda and a $ of Argynnis nokomis.
Mr. Buchholz had specimens of a new species of Acronycta
caught at Elizabeth, N. J. OTTO BUCHHOLZ, Secretary.
Minutes of meeting of Brooklyn Entomological Society, held
at the residence of Mr. George Franck, 1040 DeKalb avenue,
Brooklyn, N. Y., on October 5, 1905. Eighteen persons pres-
ent, the president in the chair. Mr. James Lever, of Brook-
lyn, was duly elected a member.
Prof. John B. Smith gave an outline of the work connected
with the extermination of mosquitoes in Staten Island and the
adjacent Long Island salt marshes, with photographs showing
apparatus and localities. Investigation had proved that in the
spring of 1905, Cule.v sollidtans did not breed in New Jersey,
but did breed on Stateu Island, from whence the insects had
been traced in their flight to the Orange Mts. and thence to
Madison and Morristown, N. J. It became essential therefore
that action should be taken by the New York City authorities,
who had accordingly, upon application, appropriated $17,000,
based on the report and estimate of Mr. Brehme, who had ex-
amined the conditions on the Island. This sum had been further
reduced on advertised bids to $15,500 and the work of elimina-
ting mosquito breeding areas there was rapidly progressing.
The Brooklyn City Railroad Company was also greatly aiding
in the matter by removing ashes on specially constructed box
cars, each car conveying four giant ash cans holding many
tons of material, which, by means of cranes, was expeditious!}-
dumped upon the Coney Island and Gravesend marshes,
whereby, not only was the refuse promptly taken away, but
much worthless meadow was being reclaimed and made val-
Jan., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 37
uable and incidentally the breeding places of mosquitoes were
becoming greatly diminished.
Professor Smith further explained that the unusual freedom
from mosquitoes which large sections of Long Island enjoyed
the past summer was due to the lack of rain during the pre-
vious spring and the consequent drying up of pools and
marshes to such an extent that subsequent showers proved
insufficient to provide moisture enough for the development of
the eggs and larvae.
Mr. Wasmuth exhibited a fine series of Apantesis oithona
and variation redilinea, the latter heretofore recorded only
from the Mississippi Valley, which he had found resting on
grass stems in a field near Woodhaven, L. I., about May 15.
Mr. H. H. Newcomb, of Boston, being present, gave the
Society much interesting information concerning the progress
of things entomological and collections in that city.
ARCHIBALD C. WEEKS, Secretary.
A stated meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social, of
Philadelphia, was held November 15, 1905, 11 members pres-
ent.
Mr. Laurent exhibited specimens of Erannis tiliaria and
Euchlacna obtnsaria, taken at Mount Airy, Philadelphia. The
first-named species was not in Mr. Laurent's list of Pennsyl-
vania moths published some time ago.
Mr. Daecke stated that he had received a communication
from Professor Hine in which he reports a typical specimen of
Chrysops amazon from New Hampshire. Mr. Daecke also
exhibited specimens of Rhagoletis pomonclla, bred on huckle-
berry.
A few overripe huckleberries infested by small dipterous
larvae wrere collected at Da Costa, N. J., Aug. 16, 1904. The
larvae went into the ground to pupate. One imago emerged
May 3ist, 1905, and proved to be Rhagoletis pomonella \Vulsh,
belonging to the famih^ Trypetidae. The larva is the well-
known apple maggot.
Mr. Wenzel exhibited the work of a Scolytid in roots of
huckleberry. The species is Corthylus punctatissimu$i taken l>v
3§ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '06
Mr. Wenzel, Jr., on October 22nd, at Cape May Court House.
This is the only subterranean-Scolytid known.
Mr. H. W. Wenzel exhibited a collection of Coleoptera, made
by H. Wenzel, Jr., on Tybee island, on the coast of Georgia,
during the latter part of July, approximating 3,000 speci-
mens. The collection contained a great number of very
interesting species. Carabidae were rarely found on the
ground. A species of Gclasimus (fiddeler crab) is sole pro-
prietor of all soil in the woods. In going over the collection
the speaker dwelt on the following species : By beating trees,
Ptcrostichus submarginatus , PlocJiionus amandus, and other
Carabidae were found. Among the Histeridae a beautiful
blue species near Paromalus — probably a new species. In the
Elateridae several very interesting species — Dendrocharis flavi-
cornis, Stcthon errans, Nematodes pavidus ; a species near Moiw-
crepidius, unknown to the speaker, was found at night on
the sand hills near the beach ; this is a pale unicolored insect.
In Buprestidae — Xenorhipes brendeli, Actenodes anronotatus and
other species. Drapetes geminatus and D. rubricollis. In Cler-
idae Hydnoccra aegra and other species. Ptinidae — twenty
species were taken, including several species recently described
by Mr. Fall. In Scarabaeidae, a number of species, Lachnos-
terna glaberrima being common. Cerambycidae are repre-
sented by a number of species. Lypsimena fuscata in numbers
showing a great difference in size. Chrysomelidae represented
by a number of species. Bruchus coryphae and B. cruentatus,
the former a most beautiful species, in numbers. Tenebrio-
nidae not numerous, Platydcma cyanesccns, a fine species was
taken. Oedemeridae, Mordellidae and Anthici are represented,
Formiconius scitnl/ts a beautiful little species was found com-
mon with Mecynotarsus candidus and Anthicus pallens. The
Curculionidae are well represented, especially Conotrachelus
and allied genera, probably one or two new species. Scoly-
tidae not numerous. Anthribidae are well represented.
A complete list of all species found on Tybee Island by Dr.
Castle and Mr. Wenzel will be published in ENTOMOLOGICAL
NEWS.
F. HAIMBACH, Secretary,
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89f9 m
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66
o7
EYE MACULATIONS OF THE GENUS CHRYSOPS.
All li.sjures are taken fri)in feiiiales except those marked 3.
1-4 ('. ci-li-i-
.s ( '.fuga i
6- 7 C~. niger
S C '.
M ' .
i" i ; C.
14-15 C".
16 C". inoittaiiHs
i 7- hi ( '. i a /liit its
20 C". delicatulus
ji-j;, 6". dimnitn-ki
• I ( '. i iid us
j.S-2fi C. mnrnsHS
2~ j.s t". hilai'ix
29-30 t". bistellatus
31-32 C. moeclius
33-35 C. obsoli'tns
36-39 C'. univittatus
40-42 C.J'alla.r
43 6". iiitri't'iis
44-49 C'. vitlatim
50-51 C. segua.v
52 C. striatux
53 C. cursiw
54-60 C. pit die its
61-62 (". brunni u
63-67 C.Jiavidux
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. XVII.
FEBRUARY, 1906.
No. 2.
CONTENTS:
Daecke — On the Eye-Coloration of the
Genus Chrysops 39
Wickham — The Races of C i c i n d e 1 a
tranquebarica Hhst 43
Coquillett— A New Tabanus Related to
punctifer 48
Howard— Prof. Berlese's Apparatus for
Collecting Small Arthropods Rap-
idly and in Great Quantities 49
De la Torre Bueno — On Some Aquatic
Hemiptera from Costa Rica, Cen-
tral America 54
Smith — Some Notes on the Bee Genus
Caupolicana 57
Troop — A New Aphid 59
Brues — A New Subapterous Encyrtid. . 61
Kellogg — A Gigantic New Biting Bird-
Louse 62
Wellman— Observations on the Biono-
mics of Auchmeromyia luteola Fab. 64
Editorial 68
Notes and News 69
Doings of Societies 70
On the Eye-Coloration of the Genus Chrysops.
BY E. DAECKE.
(Plate i.) •-
Little has been recorded on the eye-maculatioh of Chry-
sops, yet every student of this interesting genus, when in
doubt of where to place a specimen will examine the eyes in
order to obtain additional information to separate it from its
allied forms.
Baron Osten-Sacken, in his Prodrome, Part i, page 369, has
briefly referred to this character.
The fact that the design disappears as soon as the insect is
dried makes it inconvenient for study, and to relax the speci-
men, which will bring the image back again to some extent, is
done at the risk of ruining it. This, combined with the fact
that the design-variation in some species is so great as to run
into and correspond with that of other species, likely has
caused students to carefully avoid writing on this subject.
The vast design-variation in the species renders a synoptic
39
46 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '06
table of this genus by this character impossible, but enough
matter of value remains that I deem it expedient to offer these
remarks accompanied by the figures, and hope that it may
stimulate to further research in this direction.
My observations were mainly made on the New Jersey
species, though a few others, so far not recorded from New
Jersey, have been figured.
The figures are taken from females except Nos. 19, 32, 40
and 43, which are marked $ .
The design of the male eye necessarily differs from that
of the female. The male eye being holoptic the design is
longer and drawn toward the vertex. As a rule it is indistinct
in the vertical region or fades away entirely, a reddish bronze
lustre frequently taking its place. The upper spot near the
frontal margin is seldom recognizable. The middle spot, gen-
erally present, rarely corresponds in shape with that of the
female. It is generally elongated toward the vertex, in which
direction it frequently loses its definite contour. In C. calli-
dus the shape of lower frontal spot and its contiguity to the
frontal margin (Fig. 19), in C. mocchus the arrow-head (Fig.
32) betray the identity with their respective females. The
m&\efallax resembles the female in its linear shaft which is
disconnected from the arrow-head and occipital border (Fig.
40). On account of their scarcity the eyes of males of only a
few species have been studied.
The normal eye of Chrysops consists of six purple spots on
a green ground-color.
1. The occipital border, generally indentated in the middle,
along the occipital margin.
2. The arrow-head, in front of the indentation of the occip-
ital border, pointing downward.
3. The shaft, either attached to or disconnected from the
arrow-head, upwards.
4. The upper frontal spot 1
5. The middle frontal spot V along the frontal margin.
6. The lower frontal spot J
It does not matter what shape these spots assume or in
what manner they combine with each other, these six spots
Feb., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 41
can always be recognized by their relative positions. There
may be two, three, four, five or all connected with each other,
thus it will happen that in C. dimmocki and C. Indus all spots
are connected in some way. Again there may be as many
as ten spots (C. flavidus], but it will be readily seen
that this greater number is caused by the subdivision of some
of the above-named maculations.
The arrow-head and middle spot either coalesce or are sep-
arated in the same species (see celer, niger, callidus, dimmocki}.
The same may be said of arrow-head and occipital border be-
low (nigri bimbo, dimmocki, flavidns, etc.) The coalescence of
upper spot, shaft and occipital border near vertex is equally
unreliable as a distinguishing character (uniwttatus, pudicus}
but the connection and separation of border and occipital mar-
gin appear to be singularly permanent ; thus in all specimens
examined oiflavidus the occipital border is separated from the
margin, while in bninneus, a closely allied species \.o flavidns,
it is united to it. (Fig. 61 is taken from a New Jersey speci-
men, Fig. 62 from a specimen from Ohio).
The eye of pudicus resembles that of brunneus, here the
border also joins the occipital margin, but the middle spot
is distinctly different from that of brunneus. See figure.
The eyes of pudicus and cursim seem to be identical in
maculation. Not enough specimens of cursim were procurable
to enable me to come to a definite conclusion.
In brunneus , flavidus , pudicus and cursim the shaft is always
disconnected from arrow-head.
Vittatus has its border joining the occipital margin ; in one
case only it was found to be partly separated.
All specimens examined of striatus and seqnax had the bor-
der separated from the occipital margin.
Niger and brimleyi are closely allied species and also have a
strong resemblance in their eye-maculation. In briwlcyi, how-
ever, the maculation is very much heavier, the border does
not join the occipital margin as it does in niger.
This latter character is variable in nigribinibo.
Fugax closely resembles celer, but can at once be separated
from the latter by the absence of shaft. Fig. 5 answers very
42 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '06
well for all specimens examined of fugax. Nos. i and 2 are
the rule, Nos. 3 and 4 the exceptions of celer.
About fifty specimens of plangens were examined and Fig. 9
suffices for all of them.
The eye of amazon resembles that of ccler but the shaft of
amazon is curiously divided in the middle, the upper part con-
nected with occipital border, the lower part with arrow-head.
In fallax the shaft is generally free, that is, neither con-
nected above or below ; in rare cases it is connected with arrow-
head. In this species the occipital border is subdivided in the
middle, the lower portion of border partly coalesces with occi-
pital margin.
Callidus, dimmocki and indus are the only New Jersey species
in which the upper and lower frontal spots coalesce with frontal
margin. The pattern of dimmocki is generally very heavy,
the green background often reduced to fine lines surrounded
by the purple maculation. The design of callidus corresponds
at times with that of indus, but as a rule the lower frontal spot
of callidus has a tendency to terminate scroll-shaped, which
has not been observed in indus.
The two figures of bistellatns show the extreme range of
maculatiou of all the known specimens.
Delicatulus has often been mistaken for a light and small
form of callidzis ; the eye, however, shows decided differences.
The upper and lower frontal spots of delicatulus are not con-
nected with the frontal margin, the upper spot merges into
the occipital border, crowding out the shaft which, at this
juncture, is usually disconnected.
Hilaris, which has so far not been recorded from New
Jersey, is the only other species thus far examined in which
the upper spot joins the occipital border without allowing the
shaft its respectively intermediate position, the shaft frequently
being abbreviated.
This paper represents the result of only one summer's ob-
servations, and there is no doubt that many other variations of
the species figured will be found. It remains to be seen to
what an extent the widely distributed species will show design-
variation from those that have been studied.
Feb., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 43
The Races of Cicindela tranquebarica Hbst.
BY H. F. WICKHAM, Iowa City, Iowa.
Almost every writer who has had occasion to treat of Ci-
cindela tranquebarica Hbst. (C. vnlgaris Say), makes some
mention of the extraordinary range of variation exhibited.
Nor need we wonder at this variation, when we consider
for a moment the vast extent of country inhabited by
tranquebarica in some of its many forms. From the low-
lands of the Gulf States, Mississippi, Georgia and Louisi-
ana, it reaches northward through the Carolinas to Up-
per Canada and the maritime provinces. It occupies prac-
tically the entire region drained by the Mississippi River and
its tributaries, from the Alleghenies to the Rocky Mountains,
extending far into the British possessions of Manitoba and
Alberta. On the great interior plateau between the Wasatch
and the Sierra Nevada, it runs and flies along the scanty
streams, or hunts its prey on the bitter flats of the alkaline
lakes. To the south the Rio Grande basin is also invaded,
and the western outposts, split more or less into beautiful
local races, occupy the vales and mountains of the Pacific
Coast.
In spite of the differences in size, color and hairiness ex-
hibited by specimens from different parts of the country, it is
no easy matter to settle upon characters whereby the races
may be accurately defined. In some districts a form may
occur which, within a limited area, seems to be definable by
features of constancy and apparent importance — and we are
tempted into describing it as a new race or subspecies. But in
another locality, we find these characters utterly unstable and
consequently have to abandon them as bases of subspecific
separation, unless we make the citation of a locality label the
most important part of our diagnosis.
The separation of the species into " varieties " by Mr. Leng,
in his recent " revision " is to my mind, open to certain ob-
jections. Some of the characters used are shown by sufficient
material to be entirely ephemeral and not confined to speci-
mens from any special district. In one case, I believe, he has
44 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '06
been misled by wrong interpretation of the meaning of an
earlier writer. I am also at loss to understand why he sinks
tranquebarica Hbst. as a synonym, giving precedence to the
much later name vulgaris Say. If we are satisfied that the
name tranquebarica was applied by Herbst to this species, the
fact of the habitat being wrongly attributed is, under present
laws of nomenclature, no valid excuse for its rejection.
It is not my intention to propose new names for any of the
numerous local forms, readily enough separable by an ex-
perienced eye, though possessing no positive definitive char-
acters ; but rather to call attention to some of the districts
over which these imperfectly differentiated forms are distri-
buted and the manner in which they again subdivide and inter-
grade. In general it may be said that the following rules
hold good with the aggregate known as C. tranquebarica (or
vulgaris} and its varieties, race or subspecies. Exceptions oc-
cur, of course.
1 . The specimens from the extreme southeastern portion of
the range are small and nearly dead blackish, with scarcely any
trace of cupreous on the upper side. A series from North Car-
olina (given me by Mr. Edw. D. Harris) and from Mississippi,
runs only about .50 inch in length. The markings in this form
are narrow, the humeral lunule shorter and more transverse
than usual.
2. In the upper Mississippi valley, the Middle States, New
England and Canada, occurs a larger form, with the upper
surface obscurely bronzed or nearly black, the markings
broader and better developed, the humeral lunule longer and
less transverse. In size the average is about .60 inch. This
is presumably the type described as vulgaris by Say, and is so
called by Mr. Leng.
3. In the more northerly portion of this range, is found
occasionally a form more bronzed and a little hairier, called by
Mr. Leng, C. horiconensis. This name, I think unnecessary,
the abberation being illy defined and not a geographical race
in the true sense of the word, occurring side by side with the
blackish specimens. It also passes insensibly into the next,
and I should follow Dr.W. Horn in relegating it to synonomy.
Feb., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 45
4. In the arid and semi-arid regions of the middle west,
from New Mexico through Colorado, eastern Montana, Kan-
sas, Nebraska, Dakota, Manitoba, Assiniboia and Alberta, we
find a better marked race of (usually) rather distinctly metal-
lic tipper surface, with broad markings, the humeral lunule
complete and the middle band frequently expanded on the
margin. This is obliquata Kirby, and is so recognized by Mr.
Leng. It is, however, not very well differentiated, a great
number of the specimens being about equally well referable to
obliqnata or to horiconensis . Others run into vibex. Dr. Horn
sinks it as a synonym, and I am disposed to agree with him
in this course, recognizing, however, that obliquata is much
more worthy of being retained than is horiconensis. The ex-
treme specimens are very different-looking from the eastern
tranquebarica.
5. In specimens from the western edge of the ordinary
range of the above form, we find a well-marked tendency to
partial obliteration of the humeral lunule. As a rule, this is
accompanied by a preponderance of the greenish cast in the
coloring of the upper surface, until in some portions of the
Pacific district and the adjacent interior basin the coppery
color is almost entirely replaced by a brilliant green. These
green forms have thus been classified by Mr. Leng, in his
Revision :
Bright green, humeral lunule broken . . vibex Horn.
Brilliant blue-green, humeral lunule lacking . sierra Leng.
Dull green, humeral lunule broken . . rogitensis Harris.
All of these forms are well represented in the material be-
fore me, but I do not agree with Mr. Leng in his assignment
of names. The types of Mr. Harris' C. roguensis were from a
locality distant but fifty or sixty miles from that of the type of
vibex and some specimens of the first named (in my collection)
from the Rogue River might well be called rather bright green,
though in general they are somewhat dull. I think the name
roguensis should sink as a true synonym of rv7v .1 , the distinc-
tion being merely the evanescent one of depth or brilliance in
color. In fact, so I am told by Dr. Walther Horn, the type
of vibex is not of the brilliant green of the San Bernardino Co,
46 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '06
(California) specimens, which have been doing duty as vibex,
but of a duller shade. He writes me of an interesting fact
in this connection, of which I was altogether ignorant, namely,
that in southern California vibex is dimorphic, apparently ac-
cording to season. He says that the bright green form occurs
from May to October, the dull form in April. The explana-
tion, he suggests, maybe sought in the effects of the winter
rains upon the development of the early spring form. It is
worth mentioning that the bright southern Californian speci-
mens are much more brilliant than any of those from Oregon.
C. sierra L,eng, the remaining described green form, occur-
ring in the Sierra Nevada, may stand for the time as a fairly
well-marked subspecies. It is a mountain race with much
reduced markings, but this feature in itself is of little value, as
will appear shortly.
Several weeks ago, I received from Mr. Knaus a pair of a
bright green species of Cicindela taken near L,as Vegas, Ne-
vada, by Mr. Tom Spalding. They were of rather smaller
size than the average vibex (measuring .52 inch), with short
humeral lunule, middle band minus the deflexed portion, apical
lunule complete. Misled by the general appearance, I at first
took them for representatives of a new form of the repanda
group, but subsequent examination of the labrum and vesti-
ture showed them to belong to the tranquebarica series. A
request for more specimens brought two others from Mr.
Kiiaus and two from Mr. Spaldiug, the six representing his
whole catch. The remarkable feature of this little collection
is that no two of the individuals are alike, but they exhibit
among themselves various modifications of pattern from full
development to almost the reduced style of sierra. The figures
annexed will show the gradation. With only 4, 5 and 6, at
hand, I should probably have separated a new "race" to be
characterized by the small size and the loss of the tip of the
humeral lunule (a rare feature in the tranquebarica aggregate)
but the examination of the others induced me to refrain from
adding another name. I consider these specimens as belonging
to a plastic local race, closely related to the brilliant southern
Californian vibex (aut. post.*), showing the intimate relations
Feb., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 47
of the green races and their probable late development. It
will be noticed by those who have plenty of material, that the
bright green San Bernardino specimens tend to complete mark-
ings, without the interruption of the
humeral lunule that should really 9
characterize vibex. The discovery of
a variable green form in the Great
Basin is of much interest, the remark-
able influence upon the beetles colo-
nized within its limits having already
been touched upon elsewhere. The
small lakes, now rapidly drying up,
evidently obtained their littoral faunae
from some common source, as I have
shown.* Minor modifications of color
and pattern, resulting in the formation
of more or less important local races are commonly noticed
among the faunae of the various lake shores and Cicindela
tranquebarica is, in this respect, no exception.
The type of this species found most abundantly in the
Great Basin is the form obliquata in some of its manifestations
—that is to say, a rather widely marked insect of large size,
more or less metallic above. There is, however, in Utah
specimens, a strong tendency to disappearance of the sub-basal
portion of the humeral lunule and the marginal part of the
median band, producing an elytral pattern like that of typical
vibex. Several of my specimens from Provo are almost identical
in this respect with others from British Columbia, sent me by
Mr. Harris. At Great Salt Lake, Sevier Lake and Humboldt
Lake, there seems to be a larger proportion of blackish, almost
non-metallic specimens (the ground color of the upper surface
being referred to) with moderately wide complete patterns,
while at Bridgeport, California (still within the Basin), occurs
a form almost dead black above, fully and widely marked, very
different in appearance from those of the more eastern portions
of the Basin.
I have not seen C. plutonica Casey, which is classed by Dr.
* American Naturalist, Sept., 1904. Report Entom. Soc. Ontario, 1904.
48 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '06
W. Horn as a subspecies of tranquebarica. It is described
from Placer Co., California, and is reported by Mr. Leng as
occuring also in Oregon. Accepting Dr. Horn's dictum in
regard to the position of this form, my suggested arrangement
of the tranquebarica series would be as follows :
Cicindela tranquebarica Herbst.
Syn. — vulgaris Say, obliqiiata Dej., Kby., kirbyi Lee.,
horiconensis Leng.
Subsp. — mbex Horn.
Syn. — roguensis Harris.
Aber. — vibex aut. post.
Subsp. — sierra Leng.
Subsp. — plutonica Casey.
From what has been written concerning the various geogra-
phical races and local forms, it will be noticed at once that the
species as a whole is more homogeneous in the northern parts
of the range, while to the south it tends to split into many
imperfectly differentiated assemblages of less than specific
value. A nice problem is offered to some student who will
undertake to work out the details of probable origin and dif-
fusion of the many types of Cicindela in North America.
A New Tabanus Related to punctifer.
BY D. W. COQUILLETT.
Tabanus subniger n. sp. — Near punctifer but larger, base of front tibia?
not whitish, abdomen with while hairs along the sides and apex, etc.
Black, with a tinge of 'brown, the mesonotum and scutellum brownish
yellow, gray pruinose and covered with white hairs ; elsewhere the hairs
are chiefly black except along the sides and apex of the abdomen wheie
there are many white ones which become more numerous posteriorly ;
front calypteres also fringed with while hairs. Front very bread above
the subcallus with parallel sides, this portion being about two and a half
times as long as wide, subcallus opaque, grayish pruinose, callus pol-
ished, transversely oval and with an indistinct, linear prolongation above.
Eyes bare. Wings gray; costal cell and stigma pale brown, a brown
cloud at base of second stibmarginal and of the posterior cells. Length,
25 mm.
Lake Forest, Illinois. A female collected March 27, 1904,
by Dr. J. G. Needham. Type No. 8301, U. S. Nat. Mus.
Feb., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 49
Professor Berlese's Apparatus For Collecting Small
Arthropods Rapidly and in Great Quantities.
BY L. O. HOWARD.
While visiting the laboratory of Professor Antonio Berlese
in Florence in June last, I was greatly interested in an appar-
atus which he has prepared for collecting small insects and
other arthropods very rapidly and in very great numbers, and
which it seemed to me obviated in large measure the la-
borious process known to entomologists as "sifting." He
showed me the apparatus practically in operation, and showed
me further large numbers of vials filled with Thysanura, My-
riapoda, Acarina and the like, which in number and variety
afforded a perfect revelation to me. Since returning to this
country I have had one of the smaller styles of the apparatus
made, and have tested it during the month of December with
leaves and rubbish collected on the grounds of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture and with very considerable success ; so
much so, in fact, that I wish to bring the apparatus to the at-
tention of English-speaking entomologists. No doubt had I
used leaves or top soil of old and long undisturbed wooded
regions the results achieved would have been vastly greater
than they have with the material tested ; but even this, as
just stated, has been very satisfactory. Professor Berlese's
description and statement concerning results was published in
Redia, vol. II, No. i, shortly after my visit, and his article,
very freely translated, is as follows :
Within this last year I have devised an apparatus which is
very simple and very effective, with which I collect in great
numbers and without fatigue, the small Arthropods as well as
insects of all the following orders : Myriapoda, Symphyla,
Pauropoda, Chelifera and Arachnida, and especially Acarida
however small, without any danger of being able to escape.
Of the Collembola, which are so difficult to collect because
they spring, I have taken a very great number.
All those living creatures which are found to be present in
the mosses, among the dead leaves under the trees, in decay-
ing wood, in humus, in decomposing substances, etc., are col-
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Feb., '06
lected in a tube containing alcohol, which is attached to the
apparatus under discussion, and on the part of the naturalist
there is no further trouble than to separate them and study
them. The apparatus consists of a large funnel which slides
into a glass tube containing alchohol and this funnel is sur-
surrounded by water heated to 60° to 100°. On top of the
funnel there is placed a sort of square tray of metallic net-
work (a sieve) upon which is placed the material to be ex-
amined, and this material should naturally be sufficiently
humid to restrain the living insects from escaping. Whether
FIG. i.— Apparatus for direct heating;: A, exterior receptacle containing water; />',
interior funnel; C, vessel having the bottom of metallic net work; D, suhstumv l.n ex
animation ; /•.'.funnel for introducing- the water ; /".small glass tube containing alcohol,
where the insects are collected, this being connected to the apex of the funnel by :\ slim t
tube (at of India rubber ; G, feet supporting the apparatus ; /., lamp for heating ; J/, India
rubber tube for carrying off the gas ; A", faucet for discharge.
the material in the tray, passing gradually (although rapidly
enough) through and losing some of its moisture causes the
insects to fall to the bottom, or whether these are attracted by
the heat beneath, it is certain that they all try to reach the
metallic net and there they pass through, falling into the
metallic funnel.
Feb., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
But the walls of the funnel, thanks to the water surround-
ing them, are so warm that the insects cannot remain, and
they fall, rolling downward until they enter the tube contain-
ing alcohol, in which only a very small quantity of detritus is
collected.
It is necessary, however, not to shake or stir the apparatus
or the material during this operation, to avoid the falling of
too much detritus together with the insects.
FIG. 2. — Apparatus for indirect heating by means of the boiler */>) : In the figure at the
right we see the manner of inserting the glass tube containing the alcohol into the ;i|»-\
of the funnel, that is by means of a ring or vei v .•.//m ! //>/>/• ,>/' India > ubbi-> (<i).
The figures, which show two styles of such apparatus, repre-
sent in one case (Fig. i) the heating by direct application,
and in the other case (Fig. 2), by means of a species of boiler,
always using a Bunsen or an alcohol lamp by which to main-
tain a high temperature in the water for a long time. As for
the rest, any one can vary the construction of the apparatus as
he' may think best, granting that the walls of the funnel be
always much inclined, at least 60 degrees. The diameter of
52 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '06
the funnel should be about a half metre, and the tray itself
should be movable in order that it may be refilled with the
material when separated from the funnel.
I have used to great advantage a small apparatus of this
style (the funnel being only 30 centimetres in diameter) dur-
ing the last year, and have thus discovered several new species
of Italian Acarida, illustrated in this journal, while I have
collected an enormous quantity of other small arthropods,
especially of Collembola, Symphyla, Pauropoda, etc. (Fig. i).
These, especially the Collembola, and also the Thysanura
all remain on the surface of the alcohol, not becoming sub-
merged, while the other insects all fall to the bottom of the
tube.
Thus, it is easy to collect the said Collembola with a brush,
from the surface of the alcohol without further disturbance.
After the excellent results secured from the small apparatus
referred to, I had another, much larger, constructed which has
been operated since November.
It is composed of a case of wood, the interior of which is
covered with lead, and has a capacity of six hectolitres, and
contains four large funnels in square sections the sides of
which are 50 centimetres. Thus I have an extent of one
square metre upon which to arrange the material for examina-
tion, and I can place four different kinds of material from
four different localities on these sieves.
The water is about three hectolitres and is kept at 60° or
70°, and for some hours the temperature is maintained by
means of a large gas heater.
This heater which serves me well also for heating the room
in which it is placed, consumes about three cubic metres of
gas per day, which proves that with an expense of about one
lira, I daily obtain without any trouble, a greater number of
small insects than ten persons with all the fatigue and patience
possible, would be able to collect in the same length of time,
and besides, I have the assurance that scarcely an individual
insect has escaped. (Fig. 2).
Material to be examined. — Mosses, fallen and decayed leaves,
hunius, soil under stones, etc. , are very rich in various forms
Feb., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 53
of insect life at all seasons of the year, and this material is
treated very easily and with complete success in the apparatus
described.
Manure. — The manures, especially from the stable, harbor
great numbers of various arthropods which are not easy to col-
lect because of the rapidity with which they escape, and also
because the material itself is frequently anything but pleasant
to examine.
Instead, with the apparatus, one is certain to secure all the
arthropods hidden in the manure, since by their voluntarily
seeking the heat, they fall continually into the tube in great
numbers.
Myrmecophilous Arthropods. — Everything is caught, even
including the ants, by putting upon the sieve some of the earth
and detritus from the ant-hills.
Bark from trees. — The effect is marvelous which is obtained
by treating the bark from various large trees, in this apparatus.
Under the bark there are found a great variety of insects
which hibernate, either in a state of maturity or as larvae.
All these fall into the tube of alcohol almost entirely free from
detritus of any sort, so that it is easy to quickly recognize the
fauna thus sheltered during the winter by a given tree or a
given species of plant.
Green parts of the plants. — In summer, better than in winter,
the insects which live upon the foliage can be collected, however
minute, by placing this, when fresh and just gathered, upon
the sieve of the apparatus.
Parasites of the Vertebrata. — The host being dead and left
cold for a few hours (bird or mammal), is then placed upon
this apparatus and rapidly loses its exterior parasites (Puli-
cidse, Anoplura and Pediculidae, Acarida, etc.), which being
attracted by the artificial heat, abandon the host hastily and
fall into the tube containing alcohol.
These researches, otherwise so troublesome and difficult
under ordinary methods, are, by this apparatus, effected auto-
matically and with absolute results.
In many other special cases I have obtained extremely use-
ful results from the employment of the described apparatus
which I recommend to naturalists.
54 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '06
On Some Aquatic Hemiptera From Costa Rica,
Central America.
BY J. R. DE LA TORRE BUENO.
It has been my good fortune to become acquainted in the
past year, through correspondence, with Professor Paul Biolley,
of San Jose de Costa Rica, who has sent me from time to time
whatever he has collected for me in aquatic Hemiptera, prin-
cipal^ in the Cryptocerata. In this period I have received
from him a number of the bugs noted by Champion as from
that country and some others not heretofore recorded from
that region. They are as follows :
1. Acanthia sulcicollis Champion.
One specimen from L,a Palma, taken in April at an altitude
of i, 600 meters. This species is not recorded from Costa
Rica in Biologia Centrali-Americana, although it occurs in
Guatemala and Panama.
2. Gelastocoris bufo Herrich-Schaeffer.
Found abundant on the shores of the Rio Surubres, near San
Mateo, at an altitude of 250 meters, on the Pacific side of Costa
Rica, in company with the two following species :
3. Gelastocoris vicinus Champion.
Rio Surubres near San Mateo.
4. Gelastocoris sp. near vicinus Champion.
Rio Surubres near San Mateo.
In the present uncertain condition of the specific differences
in the Gelastocoridae it is difficult to pronounce on any distri-
bution, which may or may not be real.
5. Mouonyx fuscipes Guerin.
One specimen only, taken in the Reventazon Plain, near
Santa Clara, on the Atlantic slope. This individual was found
in a rotten log in December, 1904. It is an extremely wide-
spread form throughout North and Central America.
6. Mononyx nepaeformis Fabricius.
One specimen taken at the same time as the Gelastocoris under
a stone at the edge of the Rio Surubres, in February. This
species extends from Mexico south to the Argentine Republic.
Feb., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 55
7. Limnocoris stall Montandon.
Rio Surubres near San Mateo, one specimen only in Feb-
ruary. According to Champion, this species is found in
Guatemala, Colombia, Venezuela and Bolivia.
8. Amorgius colossicum Stal.
Taken at electric light at San Jose, from which locality it is
also recorded by Champion.
9. Amorgius annulipes Herrich-Schaeffer.
Taken at San Jose at various times, under electric lights.
This species is recorded from as far north as California, and is
said to be found in Brazil.
10. Abedus signoreti Mayr.
I have received long series of these from Rio Maria Aguilar
near San Jose, where it was found in muddy pools, at an ele-
vation of 1,160 metres, in May ; from Vista del Mar, on the
Pacific slope, at an elevation of 1,400 metres, in March, and
from San Jose in January. These are new localities for Costa
Rica.
11. Belostoma fusciventris Stal.
An abundant form near San Jose, which is the first Costa
Rican record for this bug. Heretofore, it has been noted only
as far south as Honduras.
12. Belostoma micantula Stal.
Two specimens of this pigmy form were taken in the Rio
Surubres in February. It extends from Guatemala to the
Argentine Republic.
13. Notonecta mexicana Amyot and Serville.
This has come from the Rio Maria Aguilar in January ;
taken at Vista del Mar in March and in La Palma in April.
Both forms, var. ceres and var. hades Kirk, are represented.
The types of the varieties are also from this region and col-
lected by Prof. Biolley.
14. Buenoa crassipes Champion.
One specimen from Vista del Mar in March. This form is
recorded by Champion from three localities in Guatemala
only.
56 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '06
15. Buenoa pallipes (Fabricius) Champion.
I have received a long series taken in the Rio Maria Aguilar
in January. In Biologia Centrali-Americana it is given from
Vera Cruz in Mexico to Darien in Panama. This is now re-
corded for the first time from Costa Rica.
1 6. Buenoa carinatus Champion.
One example from San Jose. This does not attain the
smallest dimensions given by Champion for his species, but in
other respects it answers to the description. It is not recorded
from further south than Guatemala and Honduras.
17. Rhagovelia crassipes Champion.
There is in this lot of insects a female from Vista del Mar,
taken in March, which is the first record for Costa Rica. The
types were from Panama, where they were found in plenty in
two localities.
18. Rhagovelia armata Burmeister.
Two females were received from San Jose. Champion re-
cords it. from Mexico, fide Burmeister and Signoret, but evi-
dently did not possess it himself.
19. Rhagovelia spinigera Champion.
A long series of this form came to hand from Rio Maria
Aguilar in January and San Jose in August. This species
was described by Champion from one female example taken in
Guatemala. Consequently, this is the first record outside of
the published locality.
20. Microvelia n. sp.?
This is apparently an undescribed form, of which numbers
were taken at San Jose in January.
21. Gerris cariniventris Champion.
A good number of this species, both winged males and fe-
males and one apterous female were taken at Rio Maria Agui-
lar in January and May. This is apparently common and
numerous from Mexico down.
22. Gerris (tenagogonus) opaca Champion.
Two specimens from the Rio Surubres in February. Re-
corded by Champion as plentiful in Bugaba, Panama, the type
locality. Both this and the following are listed under the
generic synonym Limnometra.
Feb., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 57
23. Gerris tenagogonus quadrilineata Champion.
Three or four specimens from Rio Maria Aguilar in January
and May. The distribution given in Biologia Centrali-Am-
ericana is rather disconnected. This is the first record from
Costa Rica.
24. Potamobates unidentatus Champion.
One macropterous and two apterous individuals, male and
female, from Rio Surubres. Recorded by Champion only
from Bugaba, Panama.
Some Notes on the Bee Genus Caupolicana.
BY HARRY S. SMITH, Lincoln, Nebr.
Caupolicana albicollis n. sp. — tf. Length 19-21 mm. Black ; head, with
exception of the vertex, covered with a long, dense, whitish pubescence,
that on the face very slightly ochraceous, that on the occiput snow-white ;
labrum and mandibles dark rufous, sometimes black, the latter with a
dense fringe of long whitish hairs on the lower side ; clypeus finely and
irregularly punctured except the apex, which is impunctate and narrowly
margined ; antennae black, grayish brown beneath ; second joint of
fl igellum longer than style and almost half as long as the remaining por-
tion of the flagellum ; malar space short, about one-fourth as long as
wide. Thorax finely and closely punctured, mesonotum, as far back as
the tegulae, covered with a short but dense erect whitish pubescence, very
slightly tinged with ochraceous ; the remaining portion of the thorax
black, the hairs on the scutellum and post-scutellum much longer than
those on the mesonotum. Abdomen black, opaque, minutely indis-
tinctly punctured ; first dorsal segment covered with a long sooty black
pubescence like that of the scutellum, 2-4 almost bare excepting their
apices, 6 and apex of 5 with long black hairs ; segments 2-4 with broad
silvery fasciae, that on 2 sometimes slightly narrowed on the disk ; ven-
tral segments 2-4 clothed with long white pubescence, the segments
with black hairs. Coxae usually with a few long white hairs ; femora
and tibia.- black, with black pubescence ; tarsi ferruginous, covered with
a fine short fulvous pubescence, metatarsus black with inner side
brownish. Wings smoky hyaline, slightly iridescent, veins and tegulae
brownish black ; first and second recurrent nervures confluent with first
and third cubital nervures. Length of wing 12-14 mm.
9. — Similar to $, but differs in having the venter black, and in having
somewhat broader fascia; ; a short dense black scopa on the posterior
legs, metatarsus twice as wide as in <^\ The distance between the eyes
at vertex is also about twice that of the r.
58 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '06
i 9 and 3 $ specimens, Mendoza and Bahia Blanca, Argen-
tina (L/. Bruner). Collection University of Nebraska.
In the coloration and markings of the head and mesothorax
this species resembles C. lugubris F. Smith, but differs in hav-
ing all the femora entirely black and in its greater size.
Caupolicana fulvicollis Spinola.
The $ of this species, besides the usual sexual characters,
differs from the 9 in having a white fascia on the fifth dorsal
segment, and in having the first four ventral segments clothed
with long thin silvery white hairs. In both sexes the pubes-
cence on the first dorsal segment varies from pale fulvous to
grayish white, and in no case are the tibiae and tarsi clothed with
black pubescence as in C. gayi Spinola, but are bright fulvous,
the tibiae sometimes with a few white hairs on the inner side.
The intermediate and posterior femora are usually white, but
the anterior femora are concolorous with the thorax.
Dr. H. Friese, in his monograph of the genus in 1898, ex-
presses some doubt as to whether this form is entitled to
specific rank, and thinks that it may be a variety of C. gayi
Spinola. The $ was unknown to him, and differs from
Friese' s description of the $ of the C. gayi in having a white
fascia on the fifth dorsal segment: This, with other minor
characters, such as color of pubescence on legs, etc., is suf-
ficiently characteristic to make it distinct.
5 $ and 4 9 specimens, Cacarana, Argentina (L. Bruner).
Collection University of Nebraska.
Caupolicana nigriventris Friese.
One $ specimen I have identified as this species, but the
white fasciae on the third and fourth segments are wanting
on the disc, showing only on the posterior corners of the
segments. Probably worn off.
Bahia Blanca, Argentina (L,. Bruner). Collection Univer-
sity of Nebraska.
Caupolicana albiventris Friese.
A single $ specimen which agrees with Dr. Friese's des-
cription in every particular.
Arequipa, Peru, Oct. 28th, 1898 (A. G. Weeks). Collec-
tion University of Nebr.
Feb., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
59
A New Aphid.
BY JAMES TROOP.
Aphis houghtoneiisis n. sp.
During the summer of 1904 plant lice were discovered to be
very abundant in a field of Houghton gooseberries, near the
city of Indianapolis. The peculiar manner in which they
worked attracted attention, and specimens were taken and
sent to Dr. L. O. Howard, at Washington, who pronounced it
a new species. Drawings were accordingly made by Mr.
Heidemann of the Division of Entomology.
iMti. I.
In the field of gooseberries mentioned, there were scatter-
ing plants of another variety and it was noticed that none of
these plants were infested by the .Ifihis. I then made several
attempts during the summer of 1904 and also 1905 to colonize
them on various other varieties of gooseberry, but in no case
did I succeed in inducing them to feed. They multiplied so
rapidly, however, upon the Houghton, that the owner was
obliged to give up the fight, after two seasons' expL-riuice,
6o
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Feb., '06
and destroy the entire five acres of plants. Hence I have
designated it as Aphis houghtonensis . Fig. i shows the pe-
culiar manner in which it
crumples the leaves.
Description. — The wingless
females of the summer broods
are about one-sixteenth of an
inch in length, of a pale green
color, and somewhat hairy ;
eyes prominent ; antennae and
legs of a yellowish tint and
covered with scattering short
spines, except the terminal
joint of the antennas. Anten-
nae a little more than half the
length of the body ; honey
tubes prominent, nearly as
long as from their base to the
FIG 2.
\
FIG. 3.
tip of the abdomen (Fig. 2). The winged forms measure
nearly three-sixteenths of an inch to the tips of the wings when
folded. Color of the wings and body a shade darker than the
wingless forms ; antennae nearly one-half longer than the
body ; spread of wings three times the length of the body ;
eyes somewhat darker than the wingless form, while the legs
are not as spiny ; honey tubes about the same length in both
forms. (Fig. 3).
Feb., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
6l
A New Subapterous Encyrtid.
BY CHARLES T. BRUES.
In 1900* Ashmead described as Amisia neomexicana the first
species of this genus known to occur in North America. At
this time I have the pleasure of describing both sexes of a
second North American species from Central Texas.
Anusia xerophila sp. nov.
Male. — Length, 1.2 mm. Yellowish ferruginous, legs more yellowish,
middle tibiae white. Antennae black, except the scape above which is
brown, and the apical three joints, which are snow-white. Head slightly
rostriform. Mandibles dark at tips, palpi pale, last joint piceous ; lower
part ,of front between the antennae slightly elevated but not carinate ;
above finely shagreened, the ocelli forming an equilateral triangle, the
lateral pair nearly as far from the eye as from each other. Antennae
n-jointed, large and conspicuous, the scape obovoid, flattened, near
the tip as wide as the eye and longer ; pedicel small, sub-triangular.
Flagellum, flattened leaf-like, about three times the length of the scape ;
second and third joints widest, wider than the scape, from thence nar-
rowed toward tip ; the last three joints closely united, as long as the
two preceding. The small joints at the base of the scape are unusually
large, the first of them nearly as long as the pedicel. Mesonotum finely
* Proc. U. S. National Museum, XXII, 1202, p. 355.
62 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '06
shagreened ; wings small, finger-shaped, reaching but little beyond the
middle of the abdomen. Axillae just meeting at the base of the scutel-
lum, the latter a little longer than wide, sub-triangular, the tip nar-
rowly truncate and the posterior angles microscopically dentate and
black. Abdomen slightly longer than the head and thorax, oval, at the
sides of the second segment with a small black tubercle which bears two
long black setae. Legs rather slender.
Female. — Length 1.2-1.3 mm. This sex differs by its smaller head,
the eyes being much closer together on the front, and the lateral ocelli
nearer to the eye margin. The mandibles are stouter, distinctly biden-
tate, and the antennae are wholly black except the upper part of the
scape. The flagellum is sub-cylindrical, but little flattened, nearly one
and one-half times as long as the scape ; the joints wider than long, the
last pointed and twice as long as the penultimate. The legs are darker
especially the middle tibiae.
Described from one male and three female specimens col-
lected at Austin, Texas, during May, 1900.
A. xerophila is related to A. neomexicaua Aslim., but differs
by its much shorter scape.
The species was fairly abundant on an arid hill-slope near
Austin at the time the types were collected. They were mov-
ing actively about in the bright sunshine on the bare parched
soil, where other insects were very scarce. Associated with
them was found the closely related Henicopygus subaptcrns
Ashm.
A Gigantic New Biting Bird-Louse.
BY VERNON L> KELLOGG, Stanford University, Calif.
Gigantic is a relative term ; a gigantic new vulture would
mean several linear feet of bird, but a gigantic new Mallophagan
found on a vulture means but several linear millimeters of insect.
As in the fifteen hundred or more species of Mallophaga so
far known the average or modal length is hardly two millimeters,
a species measuring nearly eleven millimeters is truly a giant
among its fellows. In 1903 Mr. Charles P. Lounsbury, govern-
ment entomologist of the Cape of Good Hope, took half a doz-
en specimens, which " appeared to be all of the creatures pres-
ent on the body of the host," of a very large biting bird-louse
from a Griffon Vulture, Gyps kolbi, shot at Nelspruit in the East-
ern Transvaal. The specimens represent a species hitherto un-
Feb., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
known to us, and the largest Mallophagan species so far de-
scribed. The next largest is Lezmobothorium loomisi Kellogg,
length, 9.7 mm., from the Canada Goose, and the next Lipcnrns
ferox Nitzsch, length 9 mm. from the albatrosses.
Laemobothorinm gypsis n. sp. — Fig. i. Three females from a Griffon
Vulture, Gyps kolbi, taken at Nelspruit, Eastern Transvaal. Description
of female. Body length, 10.5 mm.; a strongly-marked species, readily
distinguishable by its size and by the unusual projection and narrowness
of the clypeal portion of the head. Head with conspicuous protuberant
pre-ocular regions, and sharply defined elongate narrow clypeal region ;
the temples strongly marked and angulated ; hairs large and numerous
and conspicuous on pre-ocular and temporal
lobes ; on anterior margin of clypeus two
long hairs in each angle and numerous short
ones in marginal region ; before each eye a
single strong hair, and behind eye a distinct
row of short, stiffish even spine-like hairs
along lateral margin ; strong black brown
cuticular markings along all lateral margins
except antero-lateral angles of clypeus ; the
black brown marking projecting in and curv-
ing so as nearly to set off the pre-ocular
lobes; occipital margin strongly, but nar-
rowly, black-brown. Prothorox shield-
shaped, with fringe of short hairs along ante-
rior margin and long strong hairs in antero-
lateral and medio-lateral angles ; also num-
erous hairs along postero-lateral margins ;
posterior margin broadly and shallowly
emarginate in middle producing two distinct,
backward-projecting, obtusely-angled points;
strong black lateral marginal markings, wid-
est in middle and tapering out anteriorly and
posteriorly. Metathorax like an abdominal
segment but twice as long as the true first abdominal segment ; strong
black lateral marginal border containing a few pustulated hairs. Legs
with many strong hairs and with strong markings. Abdomen with
strong black lateral borders and each segment with a pair of dorsal,
paler, large blotches ; these blotches nearly fused on the median line in
segment one, but separated on all other segments by a medial uncolored
space of curious sub-elliptical or vase-shaped outlines, these spaces larger
on the wider segments, and successively wider in proportion to their
postero-anterior length as one examines the segments from before back-
wards ; three or four pustulated hairs in the posterior margin of each
abdominal blotch, and many hairs, long and short, along the lateral
margins of the whole abdomen.
64
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Feb., '06
Observations on the Bionomics of Auchmeromyia
luteola Fabricius.
BY F. C. WELLMAN, M. D., Benguela, W. Africa.
Published under the auspices of the American Society of Tropical Medicine.
Several years ago I was interested in the native saying that
the fly mentioned in the title of this note produces the blood-
sucking maggot called " Inyo" by the Angola Bantus. When
in L/ondon, in August, 1904, I submitted several of the flies
under discussion to Mr. Austen, of the British Museum, men-
tioning to him some facts as to their habits He pronounced
them to be Auchmeromyia luleola Fabr. , and called my atten-
tion to the communication of Button, Todd and Christy to the
Fig. i.— Ovum (A), larva (B), and pupa (C) of A. luteola Fabr. Natural size.
Fig. 2. — Anchnii'1-ninyia luteola Fabr. Female natural size.
Fig. 3. — Teased puparation of the cephalic end of larva showing chitinous armature.
British Medical Association concerning the fly's larva. A
short time afterwards I read the communication in question in
the British Medical Journal under the title " The Congo Floor
Maggot."* On my return to Africa I began studying the fly
with the object of determining as far as possible by actual
observation its general habits and the steps in its metamor-
phosis.
At first the flies died in captivity, but on discovering
* September 17, 1904, p. 664.
Feb., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 65
that they will eat fermented vegetable matter I was able to
keep them under observation for long periods in cages. They
are attracted by the smell of vinegar, maize beer or any sour
smell, and may be captured by using paper soaked in vinegar
as a bait.
I hope to publish on some future occasion the morpho-
logical observations which I have made, so I give here very
brief notes on the appearance in the various stages.
THE OVUM.
The ovum* (Fig. i, A) is light cream color, about 1.5 x 0.6
mm. in size with smooth surface and oval outline.
THE LARVA.
The larva (Fig. i, B) has eleven segments, mouth parts
formed for piercing, and is of a light gray color. Its size
ranges from about 0.2 mm. long in very young specimens to
15 mm. in those about to pupate.
THE PUPA.
The puparium (Fig. i, C) is deep brown in color and is 9.5
-12 mm. in length.
THE IMAGO.
The imago (Fig. 2), first described by Fabricius, is 12-14
mm. in length, stoutly built and of a tawny color with dark
markings.
The distal half of the abdomen is blackish. As Mr. Austen
informs me that it is common along the entire west coast of
Africa,f the name which has been given to the larva — " Congo"
floor maggot is manifestly incorrect and misleading.
HABITS AND LIFE HISTORY.
A. luteola is partly domestic and partly sylvan in its habits.
When one sits in a native village the flies come buzzing about
him, in the evening especially, as if seeking an inhabited spot
to oviposit. I, however, saw a number of individuals one
evening (Feb. 4th, 1904) in the bush half a mile from any
* From the ovary of a pregnant female.
t It has recently been reported from Uganda (vide Journal of the Royal Army Medic ul
Corps, November, 1904).
66 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '06
habitation. They were flying about with a loud buzzing
noise, settling from time to time on trees, stumps, etc. On
watching them I saw several couples in copula. I left the
spot after sundown and, although dusk was coming on, the
flies were still active. The female when ready to oviposit
usually enters a native hut and settles on the wall or thatch
generally remaining motionless for some time. If undisturbed
she alights on the mud floor and begins scratching with her
first pair of legs in the dust, preferably in a dark corner. She
then lays her eggs in the dust, afterwards scratching again in
the same manner as if to cover them. I was fortunate to wit-
ness this process on one occasion. I was unable to ascertain
the number of the eggs at this time as it was dusk, and, with
no means of procuring a light, the eggs could not be seen in
the light colored dirt rich in kaolin, which is generally used to
plaster walls and floors. The average number of eggs in a
series of gravid females dissected was 54.
In my experiments a number of pregnant females were
placed in a gauze cage containing a handful of sand which had
been sterilized by red heat. In three days there appeared very
small larvae which were identical with the "Inyo" or biting
maggot found by me in native kraals and often brought by boys
collecting for me. I examined the sand with a lens on the
first and second days of the experiment but, I am sorry to
say, overlooked the eggs. Still I am confident the fly is not
viviparous, as the moving larvae would have immediately
caught my eye. Flies dissected, too, even when gestation was
complete, always contained ova only.
In natural circumstances the larvae are most abundant under
mats where children who urinate during sleep have lain, show-
ing that either the imagines or larvae (or both) seek such
places as promising sooner or later the presence of suitable
blood-producing hosts. The larvae are voracious blood-suckers
and their bite is severe. One bred out from my captive flies,
and which I allowed to bite my arm in several places, pro-
duced wheals which were the seat of marked burning and
itching which did not entirely disappear for four days. The
suggestions as to the possibility of the larvae being the carrier
Feb., "06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 67
of disease-producing organisms deserves attention, and experi-
ments with it should be made. The length of time for a newly-
hatched larva to arrive at the pupal stage varies greatly with
the temperature and available food. A large number of larvae
observed by me in captivity died without pupating. Some
lived as long as seven weeks without entering the pupal stage.
Although their normal food is human blood yet they will, if care-
fully handled, bite any warm blooded animal which has been
shaved on the part of its body which touches the ground as it
lies down. As it bites animals with difficulty, I fed mine on a
native boy. Larvae kept without food die.
Six new pupae were kept 29, 30 and 31 days before the imag-
ines escaped. The imagines which emerged from the puparia
in my experiment were in every case identical with those I had
kept in captivity and also with the specimens determined by
Mr. Austen.
While I cannot claim to have actually seen every detail in
the metamorphosis, yet the method used (breeding out under
closed cages in previously heated sand) is guarantee against
fallacy and precludes possible heterogenesis ; so that we may
be assured that we have the full life-history of the fly, which
ma}* quite possibly be found to play no unimportant role in
tropical pathology. I do not know (having been in Africa)
whether or not additional work, completing the description of
the metamorphosis of A. hiteola has been published since the
paper to which I have above referred. However, I publish
this short record of my observation of the life history from
imago to imago, since it will at least serve as a confirmation
of any work on the subject that may have been done in the
interim.
— «»» —
REVERIE OF A MOSQUITO. — " It's a hard row to hoe, and for growling
this human race is the wonder of the universe. I've got to live as well
as the rest of 'em, but if I approach a victim and sing ere I bite, he
growls and swears he wouldn't mind it so much if I didn't sing ; then if I
steal upon him silently he complains that he was hit without warning.
And then when the doctors can't discover a fever germ they swear I'm
at the bottom of the whole business and have my picture taken and write
books about me and make national reputations at my expense. But it's
all right, I guess, and I reckon I'll pull through ; I'm really an aristocrat
in disguise and good blood flows in my veins— in fact the best in the
country."
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items
of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given
in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors.— All contributions will be considered and passed upon at out
earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep-
tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num-
ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or
important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five "extras," without change in form,
will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along
with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — ED.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., FEBRUARY, 1906.
The great number of undescribed species of insects in this
country made it necessary for those interested in entomology
to devote a considerable portion of their time to systematic
work and to the description of these forms. There is no
doubt that many species have been described from insufficient
material without proper data and we have also had the " split-
ter " with us. Now that the great territory between the Mis-
sissippi and the Pacific Ocean is becoming better known and
series of good material accumulating, it has become possible
to ascertain the true relationship between many described
forms. The great desideratum at the present time is an
efficient nomenclature that will properly express the relation-
ship of allied forms. The old term variety has been found
more or less wanting, but it had the great advantage of show-
ing relationship between names. It is a question whether the
trinomial system is much of an advance. Terms like " to-
pomorph" express an idea of evolution but do not necessarily
show relationship. We notice recently that a number of per-
sons are compiling data from various collections to get at the
relationship of species through distribution, time of appearance,
etc., and we will look forward with pleasure to the outcome.
Cooperative studies of this kind may give excellent results.
68
Feb., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 69
Notes and Ne\vs.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
In my article on " Mosquitoes in Mississippi " in the November NEWS,
I inadvertently wrote niger for nigripes in reference to the fourth species
of Anopheles taken in the State. — GLENN W. HERRICK, Agricultural
College, Mississippi.
EDITORS OF ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS : — Just a word to acknowledge a
few minutes of real enjoyment in reading the letter of Mr. Henry Clay
Weeks in the January NEWS. Its very violence makes it unnecessary
for me to reply, but I do wish to disclaim any feeling of jealousy. So
far as I am aware, Mr. Weeks has never done anything that any one
need be jealous of. That he has done and is doing work in New Jersey
may be true, because even in New Jersey there are men with more money
than brains. As for the rest, my original letter stated facts which are
easy of verification. I cannot say the same for the answer. — JOHN B.
SMITH.
THE LARVA OF APATELA FUNERALIS G. & R. — The conundrum pro-
pounded by Mr. R. F. Pearsall as to the identity of a certain larva found
by him but not bred is apparently solved by the above title. Mr. Pear-
sall describes (ENT. NEWS, xvii, 22, 1906) the spathulate appendages as
cream color, whereas they are in reality black, an error possibly induced
by their very shiny character. A description of the larva, with references,
can be found in Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., xxi, 103, 1898. Mr. Pearsall's ob-
servation of the penultimate stages resembling bird-droppings is new,
although the European A. a/ni is known to have this character, and
our species therefore should have it also. The observation on construc-
tion of cocoon is also new, Harris giving a different habit. — HARRISON G.
DYAR.
PELASTONEURUS NIGRESCENS WHEELER, a synonym of P. dissiinilipes
Wheeler ; a correction. — Mr. C. W. Johnson has recently called my at-
tention to a singular lapsus in my paper entitled: "New species of
Dolichopodidse from the United States." (Proceed. Calif. Acad. Sci. 3rd
Ser. Zool. Vol. II, No. i, 1899). Fig. 21, PI. i is described as the wing
of Pelastoncurus nigrescens sp. nov. 9 and Fig. 27, PI. II as the hypopy-
gium of the male of the same species, but no such specific name is any-
where mentioned in the text. On looking into the matter I find that
both of these figures refer to P. dissiinilipes , which is fully described at
pp. 16, 17. P. nigrescens is merely a manuscript name for which I sub-
stituted dissiinilipes while writing out the description. I hasten to
make this correction as the name nigrescens cannot fail to confuse some
future students of the Dolichopodidse. Fortunately it does not ap|>r.u
in Aldrich's valuable "Catalogue of Nortli American Diptera. "
\V. M. WHEELER.
70 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Feb., '06
RARE CATCHES IN EASTERN CONNECTICUT. — I do not think that I
ever saw a butterfly on the wing on November i8th before this year,
although I have been an interested observer for 35 years. To-day I
captured upon my lawn a fair specimen of that rare fly for this latitude,
Vanessa}, album. It is the first one I ever captured. Mr. Archibald
Mitchell has taken three in the past 30 years, and two of them were taken
in his dwelling. I was surprised on July 22nd of this year by the sight
of Vanessa milberti in my garden, and I had the good fortune to cap-
ture it. It showed no wear from prolonged flight and was in fine plum-
age. In 30 years I have only seen one other specimen hereabouts and
that was 20 miles north of Norwich. After the middle of October I have
had brought to me Drury's Saturia maia from the fields as fresh as if
just emerged, and I have since thought that their late appearance may
make them seem to be rarer than they are. Then there is Drury's P.
epiinenis, which flies here and is taken on the wing as early as April i2th
when the temperature is quite cool. Only one example of Drury's
Erebus odora have I seen, and that was captured in first-class condition.
Only onejunonia coenia have I ever seen in New England, and that was
on a shingly beach at Ipswich, Mass. While Vanessa J. album is reported
to be rare south of Northern New Hampshire anc Maine, I had the luck
three years ago on a cool October day to see, when without a collecting
kit, a half dozen or more flitting about a trolley car station a few miles
west of Taunton, Mass. — A. W. PEARSON, Norwich, Conn.
Doings of Societies.
At the meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social, held De-
cember 2oth, 1905, at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel,
ten members were present and Dr. Molson, visitor. President
Daecke in the chair. Mr. L,aurent exhibited bred specimens
of Pamphila tnanataaqua and ccrnes pointing out how to dif-
ferentiate the two species, but adhering to Dr. Skinner's remark
that they are closely allied specifically, and he asked to know
the structural differences by which the two species were placed
in different genera by Dr. Dyar.
Mr. Haimbach exhibited some specimens of Colcoptera and
Lepidopte>'a,\.akz\\ at Roxborough on December 3rd, under bark.
Among the latter there were several specimens of Phyllocnistis
vitigcnella Clem. This species is represented in the speaker's
collection by specimens taken at Cincinnati, Ohio, on May
and, August 25th and October gth, and at Roxborough, Phila-
delphia, on December 3rd.
F. HAIMBACH, Secretary.
THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE WEST COAST
BY w. G. WRIGHT, OF CALIFORNIA.
Who for twenty years has been gathering material fur tliis \\-ork. The 1 -.10
inches in size of pa^re, contains 260 pa^es of text, and ^j plates in t!i
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the description or plates, or both, every speck's known mi the \\'i
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ILLUSTRATIONS OF MANY WEST COAST
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The plates cover all species described and represent the limit
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ENT. NEWS, Vol. XVII.
PI. II.
NEW CALIFORNIAN COLEOPTERA BLAISDELL.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. XVII.
MARCH, 1906.
No. 3.
CONTENTS:
Blaisdell— New California!! Coleoptera 71
Brimley— Notes on the Odonata and
other Insects of Lake Ellis, North
Carolina 81
Hancock — Descriptions of new Genera
and Species of the Orthopterous
Tribe Tettigidse 86
Brimley— North Carolina Records of
Odonata in 1904 and 1905, with cor-
rections of some previous records 91
Mi Clendon— Notes on true Neuroptera 93
Bridwell — A second species of the Hy-
menopterous Genus Odontophyes
Konow ( Xyelinae) 94.
Skinner — New Butterflies and Moths,
with notes on some species 95
Busck— Description of Amer. Moths of
the Genus Cerostoma 96
Editorial 100
Notes and News 101
Doings of Societies 101
New Calif ornian Coleoptera.
BY F. E. BLAISDELL, M. D.
(Plate II.)
Recent collecting in California has brought to light a most
interesting blind Tenebrionide, and while making it known, I
have grasped the opportunity to describe other new species, as
follows :
Lathrotropis caseyi sp. nov.— Elongate, parallel and shining, color
variable, when mature rufo-piceous, with legs rufous. Head, about
equal in width to the elytra, about as long as wide, evenly convex ; sides
very feebly arcuate, about parallel, broadly and evenly rounded at base ;
eyes, small, not in the least prominent ; punctures moderate in si/r,
irregular, sparsely placed at centre of frons, denser at the periphery ;
antennae rather stout and short, joints two and three obconical and sub-
equal in length, fourth rather short and apparently wider than long, fifth
to the tenth inclusive about as wide as long, eleventh pointed oval and
a little longer than wide. Prothorax oblong-oval, a little longer than
wide, sides parallel, angles broadly and evenly rounded, the anterior
scarcely more so than the posterior; punctures similar to those on the
head, sparsely and irregularly arranged, median smooth line rather
broad. Elytra subquadrate, parallel, a little longer than wide, slightly
longer and one-fourth wider than the prothorax ; punctures subseriately
72 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
placed, becoming quite irregular at the periphery, rather coarse and
slightly impressed. Abdomen parallel and about as wide as the elytra,
surface throughout extremely finely rugulose.
Male. — (Fig. 3 of plate). With the sixth segment at apex rather deeply
emarginate, bottom of the emargination rounded, sinus about as wide as
deep, sides divergent, angles rounded and with a narrow membranous
margin ; surface at apical two-thirds with a large median oblong-oval
impression, the latter set with small, short, black chitinous points, the
sides of the concavity fringed with sparsely set inwardly curved hairs,
the concavity is continued to the segmental base by a broad, glabrous,
shallow groove. The apex of the fifth segment is more or less slightly
sinuate at middle ; surface marked with a broad, shallow, glabrous longi-
tudinal groove, which passes at middle third into a rather broad circular
concave impression that is glabrous and guarded laterally and pos-
teriorly by two small, short, black chitinous, obtuse and more or less
incurved tubercles. The groove at apex has a few scattered hairs.
Female — With the sixth ventral broadly and obtusely rounded at tip,
and apparently with a minute triangular impression at middle. The fifth
ventral is unmodified. Measurements — $. Length, 8.0 mm.; width i.o
mm. 9 — Length, 7.0 mm.; width, i.o mm.
Hab. — Shasta Retreat, Siskiyou Co., California ; elevation,
2,416 feet.
A large series of this species was taken by sifting along the
banks of the mountain streams in July, at the above-named
locality. The secondary sexual characters are sufficiently dis-
tinct to justify my describing it as new. I cannot refer it to
any of the species described by Maj. Casey from single fe-
males. In some points it appears close to validiceps. Species
possessing a community of habitus should not be founded upon
females when the male characters are taken as the criterion.
I take pleasure in dedicating the present species to Maj.
Thos. Casey in recognition of many favors, and also that his
name may occur among the many that he has so aptly de-
scribed.
In the plate I have figured other species for comparison. A
work to be truly valuable should have all of the species figured
in some way or another ; no words can convey to the mind of
the student the details of morphological characters like a cor-
rect drawing or even a simple diagram.
Figure 4 of the plate shows the secondary male sexual char-
acters of what I recognize as L. puncticcps L,ec., although not
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 73
typical : ' ' male with a small feeble rounded impression at the
apex of the fifth ventral, the apex broadly and feebly sinuato-
trtmcate ; sixth segment with a large triangular emargination
at tip, generally not quite a third as wide as the apex and
nearly as deep as wide, the surface narrowly elevated along
the median line toward the notch, the ridge clothed with short
stiff black spicules, some of the latter also present at the apices
of the segment at each side of the notch' (Casey). The
specimen figured was taken at L/eona Heights, Alameda Co.,
California.
Figure 5 of the plate is taken from what I have found as
the most common species : ' Male with a small unimpressed
glabrous area at the middle at apex of the fifth ventral, the
sixth with a triangular impression, the apex broadly, para-
bolically sinuate" (Casey). It is undoubtedly a jacobina
Lee. By the figure it will be seen that the triangular impres-
sion of the sixth ventral is clothed with short and minute
spicules, and that they do not quite reach the margin. Casey
does not mention this fact, and leaves the student in doubt. I
have not seen any other form that I could refer to jacobina,
and I have examined a large series taken in Alameda, San
Francisco, Calaveras and Eldorado Counties.
Figure 6 gives a form found at San Diego, and appears re-
lated to relicta Casey. ' Male with a small and very faint oval
impression at the apex of the fifth ventral, the sixth with a
broadly parabolic, shallow, gradually formed apical sinus,
about a third as wide as the segment, and six times as wide
as deep, the surface adjoining extremely feebly impressed, the
impression having a small patch of black spicules anteriorly."
(Casey) If this is relicta it appears as a less strongly devel-
oped form oi jacobina. I find the secondary sexual characters
variable. I have figured three distinct forms and each must
vary considerably, and by experiments in heredity might
prove to be dominant or recessive forms, as the case might be.
L/et students obtain a hundred specimens to each one they
now collect for a cabinet set, and let them record variations.
It will prove interesting and valuable.
The following two species of A/\i'A'.v belong to that section
74 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
in Casey's synoptic table in which the submarginal line of the
pronotum is strongly impressed and entire, and with the
pubescence intermingled with larger black hairs.
Dasytes Vicinus sp. nov.— Oblong, rather stout, black, shining, with a
feeble virido-seneous lustre, and moderately convex ; antennae black to
slightly piceous ; femora black, tibiae and tarsi rufo-ferruginous to pices-
cent ; pubescence sparse, long and rather bristling, consisting of more or
less suberect and backwardly curved, luteo-cinerous hairs on elytra, those
on the head quite erect, on pronotum irregular in direction, otherwise simi-
lar, and abundantly intermixed with more or less erect, slightly stouter,
black and stiffer hairs, which are on the elytra slightly backwardly curved,
irregularly so on the pronotum, more erect on the head and slightly
longer about the humeri, gradually becoming slightly shorter toward the
elytral apices. Head scarcely transverse, about (J1) or scarcely (?) as
wide as the prothorax at apex, front not impressed, very slightly and
evenly convex, quite evenly and not very closely punctate, punctures
rather impressed, slightly denser on the vertex, occiput, and tempora,
epistoma more or less impunctate ; eyes not prominent and moderate in
size, and not very coarsely granulate ; antennas longer than the head and
prothorax, rather stout (cJ1), or filiform and scarcely longer than the
head and prothorax (<$) ; subserrate, joints 3-10 subtriangular (thicker
in the ^), third slender and longer than wide ( 9 ). eleventh ovate and
about twice as long as wide. Prothorax about as wide as long (tf) or
slightly transverse (9), widest behind the middle, sides moderately
arcuate in basal half, less so and feebly converging anteriorly, feebly
sinuate behind the apical angles ; edges subserrulate ; apex scarcely as
wide as the base, and arcuato-truncate in circular arc ; apical angles
obtuse and scarcely rounded ; base broadly and moderately arcuate,
subsinuate laterally ; basal angles scarcely evident and obtuse ; disc
evenly and moderately convex, less so antero-posteriorly, strongly
punctate, punctures impressed and separated by less than their own
diameters, slightly denser in the 9 , intervals smooth, more or less feebly
convex, or flat in the ^ ; submarginal line strong and entire, submarginal
area coarsely reto-rugose.
Elytra rather large, less than twice as long as wide ; sides feebly
arcuate, subparallel (^f) or slightly widened behind the middle (9);
base slightly wider than the prothorax ; humeri scarcely at all tumid ;
apex rather obtusely parabolic, sutural angles feebly and narrowly
rounded ; disc moderately convex, punctate, the punctures irregular,
coarse, impressed and separated by their own diameters or less, inter-
spaces more or less feebly convex with a tendency to form transverse
and very feebly evident rugulae. Abdomen finely and rather densely
punctulate, and apparently more or less minutely reticulate ; pubescence
ather sparce and luteous, the hairs recumbent and rather long. Measure-
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 75
ments — <j\ Length, 2.5 mm.; width, i.o mm. $. Length, 3.0 mm.:
width, r-3 mm.
Hab. — San Diego, California.
This species, although related to hudsonicits, differs from it
and also from obtusus sufficiently by the coarse punctuation,
and from cxpansus by the more convex form and coarser pro-
notal punctuation.
The male has the fifth ventral rather broadly arcuato-trun-
cate, and the female has the fifth ventral slightly lobed at
middle, the sides appear slightly sinuate from being rather
strongly reflexed while the middle is subhorizontal and just
slightly deflexed.
Described from a $ and 9 , a small series all together, that
was not taken at a high altitude. One of the type specimens
was examined by Casey and bears his label n. sp.
Dasytes shastensis sp. nov. — Stout, oblong, black, moderately convex,
feebly shining, lustre slightly dull and feebly virido-aeneous, antenna;,
tibiae and tarsi frequently picescent ; pubescence sparse, moderate in
length, consisting of rather decumbent luteo-cinerous hairs intermingled
with moderately long blackish stiff hairs, which are erect and bristling on
head and pronotum and slightly backwardly directed on the elytra.
Head, evidently transverse, a little wider than the prothoracic apex,
interocular region rather broad, not impressed and very feebly convex,
quite evenly and rather closely punctate, punctures small ; eyes rather
prominent and somewhat coarsely facetted ; antennae slender and filiform
and reaching about to base of the prothorax, third joint slender, obconico-
cylindrical and about twice as long as wide, eleventh ovate, laterally com-
pressed and somewhat pointed at tip. Prothorax about one-third wider
than long, widest a short distance behind the middle ; disc quite strongly
convex ; less soantero-posteriorly, punctate, the punctures small, distinct-
ly defined and separated by a distance equal to twice or at least their own
diameter, interspaces flat and rather smooth, submarginal line strong and
entire, submarginal area reto-rugose ; sides quite evenly arcuate, feebly
convergent anteriorly, with edges finely and irregularly subserrulate ;
apical margin slightly arcuate in circular arc ; base moderately arcuate
and feebly sinuate laterally at submarginal area and a little wider than
the apex ; apical angles rounded ; basal angles broadly rounded and
continuing the sides into the base. Elytra rather broad, distinctly less
than twice as long as wide, and slightly widened posteriorly ; base
slightly wider than the prothorax; humeri scarcely timid; sides feebly
arcuate and subparallel ; apex obtusely parabolic, sutural angles very
narrowly rounded ; disc moderately convex, punctate, the punctures
j6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
fine, separated by a distance at least twice their own diameters, inter-
spaces flat and obsoletely, minutely reticulate. Abdomen rather densely
punctulate and clothed rather densely, especially at the sides and on the
fifth segment, with moderately long, recumbent, luteo-cinerous hairs.
Measurements — 9 ?• Length, 2.8-3.0 mm.; 1.0-1.2 mm.
Hab. — Shasta Retreat, Siskiyou Co., California, elev. 2416
ft. Beaten from the flowers of Quercus echinoides var. densi-
flora in July.
The specimens before me are apparently all females, the
apical margin of the fifth ventral segment is feebly arcuate,
and the third joint of the antennae slender.
This species differs from vicinus in its much finer punctua-
tion ; from hudsonicus it is recognized by the broadly rounded
basal angles of the prothorax. The pubescence is noticeably
shorter than in vicinus, and less bristling and lighter in color
than in hudsonicus, the prothoracic proportions are quite dif-
ferent in the two species. Obtusus occurs in Colorado and has
the elytra finely, sparsely and but slightly rugosely punctate.
Expansus which occurs north of San Francisco is more de-
pressed in form.
Casey's synoptic table may be modified as follows for the
reception of the above species :
Pubescence distinctly intermingled with longer erect black hairs.
Elytral vestiture blackish throughout ; thoracic sculpture rather
dense hudsonicus.
Elytral vestiture luteo-cinerous throughout except the longer erect,
black hairs ; thoracic punctures coarse and impressed.. vicinus.
Thoracic punctures fine not impressed. Basal angles broadly
rounded shastensis.
Elytral vestiture cinerous, except the longer erect black hairs ; basal
angles obtuse and slightly blunt ; thoracic punctures sparse.
obtusus.
Elytral vestiture cinerous but becoming dark and inconspicuous be-
hind the middle ; elytra broad and depressed . . . expansus.
The following remarkable blind Tenebrionide was discover-
ed by Mr. F. W. Nunenmacher on June n, 1904, at Fairfax,
Marin Co., California.
ESCHATOPORIS gen. nov.
Body moderately depressed. Head not strongly retracted
into the prothorax, scarcely narrowed behind, sides not prorni-
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 77
nent, anteriorly moderately converging ; front not dilated ;
epistoma truncate in feeble arc ; labrum moderately transverse
and exposed ; mandible emarginate, superior cusp acute and
longer than the smaller and shorter cusp ; mentum small and
subquadrate, gular peduncle distinct ; labial palpi small ;
maxillary palpi with the last joint dilated and triangular ;
antennae n-jointed, inserted under a distinct ridge. Eyes
absent. Prothorax loosely articulated with the mesosternum ;
prosternum not at all prominent ventrally, rather long before
the coxae ; propleura slightly convex and not defined from the
prosternum. Elytra at humeri quite rapidly retreating posteri-
orly so as to give a feeble sub-pedunculated appearance to the
body,not widely nor firmly embracing the flanks of the abdomen;
epipleura narrow, scarcely inflexed, and not well defined from
the elytral disc, margin broadly and slightly sinuate behind
the sterna. Mesosternum and metasternum moderate in
length, the former scarcely more prominent ventrally between
the coxae than the anterior condylar portion. Scutellum
broad and triangular, not prominent nor very distinctly de-
fined and but feebty entering between the elytra. Epister-
nal pieces not distinctly defined, the metasternal episterna
evidently narrow with the epimera short and as long as wide.
Hind margins of the third and fourth abdominal segments sub-
coriaceous, with the third and fourth ventral sutures moder-
ately impressed, corresponding segments not emarginate at
apex. Intercoxal abdominal process broad and parabolically
rounded between the coxae and about a third of its width
wider than the mesosternal salient. Sternal sutures scarcely
at all evident. Anterior coxae small and rounded, rather nar-
rowly separated by the prosternum. Middle coxae rounded,
moderately widely separated and with a small but distinct
trochantin. Hind coxae oval, feebly narrowed externally,
transverse and distant. Legs moderate and simple ; profe-
mora moderately clavate, mesofemora less so, metafemora but
slightly thickened externally. Tibial spurs small and distinct.
Tarsi obsoletely grooved beneath, and moderately slender ;
claws slender and simple.
An analysis of structural characters shows that the genus
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Mar., '06
Eschatoporis is distinctly related to the tribe Scaurini, although
there are certain disturbing elements, which can no doubt best
be brought out by direct comparison as follows :
MUTUAL SCAURININE
CHARACTERS.
Body elongate and ap-
terous ; mentum small ;
ligula prominent ; gular
peduncle distinct ; maxil-
lary palpi with last joint
dilated and triangular ;
antennae n-jointed. Ely-
tra not embracing widely
the flanks of the abdo-
men ; epipleura reach-
ing tip of elytra. Hind
margin of the 3d and 4th
abdominal segments sub-
coriaceous and corres-
sponding sutures im-
pressed. Anterior coxae
rounded ; middle coxae
with a distinct trochantin ;
hind coxae oval and widely
separated. Tarsi spinous
beneath. Scu tell urn
broad and not penetrating
between the elytra.
CHARACTERS PECULIAR
TO THE Scaurini.
Head prolonged behind
the eyes ; eyes present ;
front dilated; labrum
covered ; antennae with
outer joints broader and
transverse. Side pieces
of the mesosternum dis-
tinct. Third and fourth
ventral abdominal seg-
ments deeply emarginate,
in all genera except one.
Legs long, sometimes
toothed. Tibial spurs
distinct or long.
CHARACTERS PECULIAR
TO Eschatoporis.
Head not prolonged be-
hind the eyes ; eyes ab-
sent ; front not dilated ;
labrum exposed ; anten-
nae with outer joints scar-
cely at all broader. Side
pieces of the mesosternum
scarcely distinct. Third
and fourth segments scar-
cely emarginate (as in
Enlabis). Legs moderate
and simple (as in Eula-
bis.) Tibial spurs small
and distinct.
By comparison it appears that if the genus is to be Scau-
rinine, the tribal characters must be revised or else two sec-
tions be recognized, or else a new tribe (Eschatoporini^) be
erected for its reception. The genus Eschatoporis is related to
Enlabis in the form of certain abdominal segments and the
legs, otherwise it has a Scaurinine habitus, although very
small in comparison to the other tribal constituents. In the
tribe Scaurini it must be placed between Eulabis and Cercnopus.
Eschatoporis nunenmacheri sp. nov.— Elongate, oblong-oval, about
three times longer than wide, rufo-testaceous, sparsely clothed with
pale pubescence, more or less glabrous and shining, strongly, coarsely
and quite evenly punctate, the punctures more or less distinctly ocellate.
Eyes ibient. Head rather small, somewhat coarsely and sparsely punc-
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 79
tate, each puncture anteriorly with a rather long suberect hair, elsewhere
the hairs are shorter and semi-recumbent ; frons nearly plane, limited
laterally by the supra-antennal convexities ; frontal suture fine and more
or less distinct; vertex slightly and evenly convex, continuously so with
the tempora laterally, the latter scarcely arcuate behind the antennae and
not in the least prominent ; antennae long, reaching beyond the base of
prothorax, comparatively stout, gradually and feebly incrassate, each
joint subcylindrical and narrowing slightly from apex to base, joints two
and three subequal in length and obconical, joints four, five and six equal
in length to the third, suboval in outline with side more arcuate, joints
seven and eight slightly longer and a little more robust, the seventh sub-
oval, the eighth suborbicular, joints nine and ten stouter, eleventh oval
and about one-half longer than wide. Pronotum subquadrate, a little
longer than wide, widest at junction of middle and anterior thirds ; disc
evenly, moderately and transversly convex, scarcely so antero-posterior-
ly, quite coarsely, sparsely and irregularly punctate, each puncture with
a rather short, curved and semi-recumbent seta ; apex truncate in cir-
cular arc, not margined ; sides rather unevenly and not strongly arcuate
in anterior moiety, thence very feebly arcuate or straight and slightly
converging to base, margin distinct but not beaded ; base feebly rounded
and obsoletely beaded and about equal to the apex ; apical angles ob-
tuse and not rounded, nor anteriorly prominent ; basal angles more or
less rounded. Propleura slightly convex, sparsely and subocellately
punctate, punctures smaller than on the disc ; surface more or less very
minutely rugulose posteriorly. Elytra oblong-oval, about twice as long
as wide, widest at middle two-fourths ; base not margined and moder-
ately distant from the prothoracic base, the mesonotal condylar region
moderately exposed giving a subpedunculated effect ; humeri obsolete ;
sides moderately arcuate and rather gradually retreating from the hum-
eral region, subparallel at middle two-fourths and thence to apex evenly
arcuate ; subparabolically rounded ; disc moderately depressed and
very feebly convex on dorsum, laterally moderately rounded and not in-
flexed, very feebly, evenly and arcuately declivous posteriorly, punctate,
the punctures more or less ocellate and distinctly seriate on dorsum, be-
coming irregular at the periphery, the strial punctures are comparatively
large, circular and somewhat shallow, each with a curved, semi-recum-
bent, moderately short seta, arising from a centrally placed, minute
eminence, the interstitial punctures small, each with a seta similar to
those of the strial punctures. Sterna and parasterna coarsely and rather
sparsely punctate, and ocellate as above, each puncture with a short seta.
Abdomen feebly convex, moderately coarsely and sparsely punctate,
each puncture with a moderately short nearly recumbent seta. Legs
moderate. Tibiae rather slender and clothed with fine moderately lout;
hairs. Tarsi similarly clothed, the feeble grooves beneath mar^im -d by-
pale delicate spinules. Measurements—^. — Length, 3.2 mm.; width,
i.omm. 9. Length, 3.9 mm.; width, 1.2 mm.
8o ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
Hab. — Fairfax, Marin Co., California, June.
Mr. Nunenmacher stated that he obtained the specimens
while digging in a ledge near a spring. He did not state
whether they were taken in company with ants. He was col-
lecting Promecognathus l&vissimus at the time.
At first glance, before examination, this species might be
mistaken for Bembidium rickseckeri, but it was lighter in color
and of slower movements ; at a casual glance it more resembles
Bembidium laticeps in form and color.
The sexual characters are not very evident, the male is evi-
dently smaller and narrower. The metasternum is slightly
impressed at middle just in advance of the abdominal process.
The first abdominal segment is equal in length to the fourth
and fifth taken together, and its post-coxal portion is equal to
the length of the third ; the second is a third longer than the
third. The tibial grooves of the femora are moderately wrell
defined. The tarsal grooves of the tibiae are not evident.
The pro tarsi have the first and second joints when taken to-
gether about equal to the length of the fifth ; the first slightly
longer than the second, the third and the fourth are shorter
and not equal in length. In the mesotarsi, joints one and
two are subequal in 1-ength and together about as long as the
fifth ; the third and fourth taken together distinctly longer
than the second, the third is distinctly longer than the fourth.
The metatarsi have the first joint at least as long as the third
and fourth taken together, and about twice as long as the
second, the latter being about a third of its own length longer
than the third joint.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE II.
Fig. i. Eschatoporis nunenmacheri dorsal view, 9-
" 2. The elytral punctuation more highly magnified.
" 3. Secondary sexual characters of Lathrotropis caseyi sp. nov., cT.
" 4. Male secondary sexual characters of Lathrotropis puncticeps
Lee.
" 5. Male secondary sexual charrcters of Lathrotropis jacobina Lee.
' ' 6. Male secondary sexual characters of Lathrotropis relicta Casey.
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 8l
Notes on the Odonata and Other Insects of Lake
Ellis, North Carolina.
BY C. S. BRIMLEY.
On Monday, June 19, 1905, H. H. Brimley, Curator of the
North Carolina State Museum, Franklin Sherman, Jr., State
Entomologist, and myself, left Raleigh for a week's visit to
the lakes in Craven County, N. C., the main object of the trip
being to obtain one or more large alligators for the State
Museum at Raleigh.
These lakes are part of a large tract of some thousands of
acres, leased as a game preserve by Mr. Nicoll, of Newbern,
and permission had to be obtained from him before we could
visit them. This permission was very readily granted, and
every facility was put at our disposal, including the use of the
hunting camp near Lake Ellis (Camp Bryan).
On reaching the camp, which is some six miles from the
railroad at Havelock, we found Mr. NicolPs son awaiting us,
and after dinner we all started towards Great Lake, where the
alligators are said to be most numerous, Mr. Nicoll acting as
guide. Now between the camp and Great Lake lies Lake
Ellis, a sheet of shallow water some three miles or so across,
and at this time only some six inches to two or three feet deep,
which was in the past drained and planted in rice, but is now
abandoned to natural conditions. This we crossed, wading
through the shallow water on the submerged bank of the
principal canal, which led us straight toward the woods lying
between Ellis and Great Lakes.
By this time Nicoll and H. H. B., who were ahead, had got
out of sight of us and, finding the path through the woods too
indefinite to follow, Sherman and myself, who had loitered be-
hind, catching or trying to catch insects of various kinds,
turned back and retraced our watery path across the lake to
camp, leaving the others to secure, as it happened, the only
alligator of the trip, which was killed by H. H. B. after an
exciting chase.
Next day we crossed the lake again to bring back the alli-
gator skin. Great Lake, I may mention, is a much larger
82 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
and deeper body of water than Lake Ellis, and is apparently
the home of the most alligators, though they were observed in
all the three lakes we visited.
Wednesday morning we all started for Little Lake, which
is a smaller lake of the same character as Great Lake, but
Sherman and myself again lost our way, and instead explored
the neighboring shore of Ellis Lake, catching a good many
Odonata and other insects.
Thursday was spent at Great Lake and in the woods be-
tween it and Lake Ellis ; Friday in the same way, except that
I again explored the north side of Lake Ellis, for fish, bugs,
etc. Saturday morning H. H. B. and myself went to Little
Lake to try to kill alligators, but unsuccessfully, although
several were seen and shot at by H. H. B. Sherman collected
insects near the camp. In the afternoon Mr. Ballard, who
had brought us down from Havelock, took us back again to
the depot there and our trip was over.
Quite a number of insects were collected by Sherman and
myself, though by no means exclusive attention could be paid
to them. About the first insects which attracted our attention
were the Yellow Flies (Diachlorus ferrugatus) , which first
came round us in small numbers on our way to the camp on
Monday, and which were common around the camp and in
the woods throughout our stay. These made their appearance
soon after sunrise and kept up their attacks all day and even
after sunset until it was nearly dark, furthermore coming into
camp /to bite us at our meals. The bite was sharp and some-
times left a small red spot on the skin, but no other effects
were produced on any of us, either when the fly was frightened
away at once or allowed to suck its fill of blood. In the woods
they did not attack us while we were in motion, although the
different species of Chrysops would then come flying around
us, but on stopping the Diachlonis would at once come and
settle all over us, and commence biting with great, if not laud-
able zeal. Unlike the Chrysops, which seem to prefer to set-
tle on the head and upper parts of the body, Diachlorus would
bite anywhere from head to heel. In biting, Diachlorus, which
has a short proboscis, has to lower the head and tip the abdo-
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 83
men slightly upwards, instead of keeping the body mainly
horizontal as Chrysops and Tabanus do.
Several species of Chrysops were taken while flying round us
in the woods, and a few specimens near camp, which latter
were observed to bite after sunset, but the particular species
were not noted, nor did they come into camp (which was a
two-roomed frame building) to bite us as the Diachlorus did.
The abundant species were C. flavidus, C. mttatus and a
light variety of the latter which I had not seen before, less
common were C. nigribimbo, C. lugens, and an unidentified
species. All these were locally known as Yellow Flies, no
distinction being made between them and the Diachlorus.
Small Tabanus, mostly T. lineola and T. costalis, were com-
mon around the camp, while one or two T. melanocerus were
taken and a few T. americanus seen. The windows of the
depot at Havelock on the afternoon of the 24th were full of
Tabanus lineola, hundreds of them in fact. Another Tabanus
secured was T. mexicanus, specimens of which were given us
by Mr. Ballard. He had told Sherman on Friday of a green
fly that bit stock at dusk and, so far as he knew, all night, and
Sherman had asked him to secure specimens ; on our way
back on Saturday he stopped at his house and brought out a
bottle full of them, which proved to be T. mexicamis. The same
nocturnal habit is also attributed to them by Mr. G. F. King,
of Mimsville, Ga., who sent a number to me this summer.
Odonata were particularly abundant on Ellis Lake which is
studded with numerous small islands covered with shrubs or
reeds ; they also abounded in the open spaces around the edge
of the lake and around the camp. The various species met
with are listed below, those marked with a star have not been
previously recorded from North Carolina, so far as I know :
Calopteryx maculata Beauv. A few seen near camp and one taken.
Argia fumipennis Burm. Not uncommon near camp, about six taken.
Argia tibialis Ramb. Rather common in the woods near Great Lake.
Anomalagrion hastatuni Say. One male seen on the lake.
hchnura ramburi Selys. Abundant all over Ellis L.
*Enallagma durum Hagen. One male caught, on Ellis L., June 28, the
only specimen of the genus seen, was identified as this by Dr.
P. P. Calvert.
Telagrion daeckii Calv. Several seen and two males taken on Ellis L.
84 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
* Coryphaeschna ingens Rambur. One male taken by Sherman on edge of
Lake Ellis, June 21. Several other large dragonflies that
might have been this or Epiaeschna heros were seen, but no
more taken.
*Gynacantha trifida Ramb.? A single small aeschnid nymph was taken
on June 23, which Prof. J. G. Needham says is a Gynacantha
and possibly trifida.
Anax junius Drury. A few seen on the lake.
Perilhemis domitia Drury. Sherman saw one on Lake Ellis.
* Celithemis fasciata Kirby. Common on Lake Ellis in early morning of
June 22, but only a few seen at other times. Only three speci-
mens taken.
Celithemis ornatu. Ramb. Rather common on and around Lake Ellis.
The amount of black was variable, but always less than in the
two specimens previously recorded from the state, so I got Dr.
Calvert to identify a specimen to make certain of the species.
Sympetrum albifrons Charp. One specimen taken in the road on the
way to camp on June 19.
Mesothemis simplicicollis Say. Abundant on and around Lake Ellis.
Pachydiplax longipennis Burm. Only a few of this species seen on the
canal from Lake Ellis.
Libellula semifasciata Burm. Tolerably common around the lake, but
not seen flying out over the water.
Libellula auripennis Burm. The most abundant dragonfly, common
everywhere on and around the lake.
Libellula vibrans Fabr. Common in open spots in Great Lake woods.
Libellula axillena West. Not uncommon in Great Lake woods and
around Lake Ellis, but not seen flying out over the lake.
Libellula incesta Hagen. One male taken near camp with hyaline wings,
and no basal streaks, but with a small black spot at nodus and
wings faintly tipped with dusky doubtfully referred to this
form.
Tramea Carolina L. Rather common on and around Lake Ellis.
Among the butterflies, Papilio palamedes outnumbered all
others, at least four to one, being quite common on various
flowers around the edges of the lake, but only a few of the
specimens taken were in good condition. Other butterflies
observed were a few Terms lisa, two Phyciodes tharos, a few
Junoniacoenia, Grapta inter rogationis, and Limenitis archippus,
one Debts portlandia, a few Neonympha sosybius, one Pamphila
vitellius, one Pamphila fusca and a battered Thecla cccrops.
Numerous moths of the genus Haploa, apparently all one
species, flew up out of the long grass around Lake Ellis, when-
ever we walked through it.
Mar. ,'o6] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 85
Among Coleoptera one Cicindcla sexguttata was taken, and
several C. punctulata, also on the bare ground round the edges
of the lake a third Cidndela, not yet identified, which Sher-
man was inclined to think a form of marginata. Rose-chafers
were common and had defoliated some of the trees, Sweet
Gums (Liquidambar) I think, which rather surprised me, as
this species {Macrodadytus subspinosus} > though not uncom-
mon in western North Carolina, is quite rare at Raleigh.
Among other scarabs we caught several Anomala marginata in
Great L/ake woods. Silpha americana was not uncommon,
while species of Phanceus and Canthon were common near
camp, for obvious reasons. A number of other not yet iden-
tified Coleoptera were also taken.
Among the Hemiptera the only form of note was a Nau-
corid, which fairly swarmed in the lake among the water
weeds, and which Mr. J. R. de la Torre Bueno says is near
some Central American species in his possession.
Among the Diptera other than Tabanidse, mosquitoes were
quite scarce, contrary to our expectations, although Sherman
picked up a few ; the only species I recognized was Conchy-
Hastes nmsicus in Great Lake woods. I also caught a few
Asilids and a big Midaid. Sherman caught a queer-looking
fly on the wall of the camp which apparently used its forelegs
as antennae, to judge by the way it wiggled them about.
Among Orthoptera, Paroxya floridana and Leptysma mar-
ginicollis were common in the marshy portions of the country
around L/ake Ellis, and an Orphulella, apparently pelidna,
was common in the drier parts of its vicinity. Some three,
possibly four, species of longwinged Melanoplus were taken,
one of them atlanis. A Mermiria and several specimens of a
Spharagemon unknown to me, as well as some Dissosteira Caro-
lina and a Chortophaga virdifasciata were also taken. Several
specimens of Tettiginse, apparently all Ncotettix bolivari and
Tettigidea lateralis, were captured as also a few Gryllns and some
Blattids. The only Locustids secured were three Atlanticus,
two Amblycorypha oblongifolia and a Xiphidiumfasciatum,
Among the Hymenoptera Dirtdaubers (Sphecidae) were
common around the camp and several Chrysids and a big
Mutillid were also secured.
86 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
Descriptions of New Genera and Species of the Or-
thopterous Tribe Tettigidae.
BY DR. JOSEPH L,. HANCOCK, F. E. S. (London).
During the preparation of an article on " Tettigidse"
for Wytsman's " Genera Insectorum," I have taken the oc-
casion to review a large number of specimens of this group,
with the result that I have met with a number of new genera
and species. I have deemed it expedient to describe some of
these here, in advance of the publication of the article above
referred to. The most interesting species in the series is Am-
phibotettix longipes. It is to be regretted that no actual observa-
tions of their habits have been made, yet there is hardly any
doubt, that this species is fond of living in the water, similar
to Scelhymena* This fact is evidenced by the extraordinary
dilatation of the lateral margins of both the tibiae, and the
metatarsi of the hind legs.
SECTION SCELHYMEN^:.
AMPHIBOTETTIX gen. nov.
Characters : Allied to Scelhymena. Body granose, indis-
tinctly nodulose, barely fossulate. Vertex short, small,
strongly narrower than one of the eyes, middle feebly cariuate,
the frontal carinse moderately distinct, narrowly convergent
forward, formed anteriorly into a nearly hemispherical margin,
not advanced so far as the eyes. Face oblique ; frontal costa
narrowly sulcate, lightly produced. Eyes globose ; ocelli con-
spicuous and placed between and little before the lower third
of the eyes. Antennae very slender, reaching the humeral
angles, filiform, consisting of fourteen distinct articles, in-
serted barely between or just before the ventro-anterior margin
of the eyes. Pronotum anteriorly truncate, or little ascendant,
produced in a short cylindrical spine, directed upward and for-
ward above the occiput, posteriorly lengthily extended back-
ward beyond the femoral apices and acute, dorsum distinctly
flattened, humeral angles strongly obtuse, often with indis-
tinct humero-apical carinae ; median carina of pronotum lightly
*Thc correct spelling of Srrlitnena Servillc, is undoubtedly Sct'lliyim-na, as jfivcn by
Bolivar, vide Ann. Soc. Ent., France, LXX, p. 581, 1901.
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 87
compressed, often undulate, subobsolete on the process ; pos-
terior angles of the lateral lobes turned downward, the inferior
margin before the angle armed with a long cylindrical, acute
spine. Elytra oblong, acuminate toward the apices ; wings
perfectly explicate. Femora entire, distinctly lengthily at-
tenuate ; the anterior nearly as long as the middle femora ;
posterior tibiae shortened to about three-fourths the length of
the corresponding femora, lateral margins strongly dilated
toward the apices, first article of the posterior tarsi much
longer than the third, the lateral margins widely expanded,
the pulxnlli very small and subobtuse.
This genus differs from Scelhvmena in the narrower vertex,
the raised position of the ocelli and insertion of the antennas,
in the lengthily attenuate legs, and in the turned down pos-
terior angles of the lateral lobes. The spiniform antero-dorsal
margin of pronotum is probably only of specific importance.
I would therefore include in this genus two species namely :
Amphibotettix longipes, the type described below, and Aphibo-
tettix abbotti Rehn.*
Amphibotettix longipes sp. nov. —Body slender, coarsely granulose,
fuscous, posterior femoral margins and ventral surface of body light yel-
low. Head not at all exserted ; vertex narrowed forward, considerably
narrower than one of the eyes ; eyes globose. Pronotum anteriorly
produced in a short, rather blunt spine, nearly vertically elevated, the
antero dorsal margin transversely somewhat tentate, posteriorly the
apical process profoundly prolonged backward, slightly more than twice
the length of the posterior femora, the apex acute ; dorsum between the
anterior margin and the shoulders on either side constricto-sulcate, be-
hind the shoulders shallowly bifossulate, with lightly tumose elevations
posteriorly; median carina very little compresso-elevated, undulate, in-
terrupted anteriorly and subobliterated backward on the apical process ;
humero-apical carinae dividing off rather narrow indistinct scapular areas ;
spine of posterior inferior margin of lobes straight and lengthily cylindri-
cal acute, almost transverse or leaning little forward. Elytra elongate,
the apex acuminate, surface coarsely granulose, below and toward the
apex finely reticulose ; wings extended backward nearly to the pronotal
apex. Anterior and middle femora extraordinarily slender, the anterior
strongly longer than the head ; posterior femora very slender, knee vt-ry
narrow, the antegenicular denticle absent, the genicular spine lightly pro-
duced ; the pulvilli of posterior tarsi equal in length, the third pulvillus
*Proceedings Acad. Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia, TOO), j>. 660.
88 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
flattened below. Total length 9, 26 mm.; pronotum, 25 mm.; posterior
femora, 9 mm.; anterior femora, 5 mm.; posterior tibiae, 6. 80 mm.; <j\ 20
mm.; pronotum, 19 mm.; posterior femora, 7 mm.
Eight females and six males from Brunei, Island of Borneo.
In my collection.
SECTION METRODOR^;.
PLATYTETTIX gen. nov.
Characters : Body strongly rugoso-reticulose. Head lightly
exserted ; vertex considerably broader than one of the eyes,
tridentate anteriorly, consisting of a denticle on each side,
and a minute denticuliform produced median carina. Eyes
very small, though slightly prominent ; ocelli placed between
the lower fourth of the eyes. Frontal costa rather widely
sulcate, viewed in profile roundly produced between the an-
tennae, abruptly sinuate above and below. Antennae inserted
below and before the ventro-anterior part of the eyes. Pro-
notum anteriorly truncate, posteriorly hastate, the apex acute ;
median carina of pronotum strongly cristate anteriorly before
the shoulders ; humeral angles obsolete ; posterior angles of
the lateral lobes widely laminate outwards, triangularly sub-
spiniform produced, obliquely truncate behind. El3Ttra and
wings absent. Legs strongly compresso-carinate ; anterior
femora strongly carinate above, below acute lobate ; middle
femoral carinas sinuate-lobate ; posterior femora stout, the
antegenicular and geuicular spines strongly triangularly pro-
duced ; first article of the posterior tarsi provided with sub-
acute pulvilli.
Platytettix reticnlatus sp. nov. — Body short and robust, viewed from
above the inferior margins of lateral lobes of pronotum widely dilated
backward and acute ; grayish-ferrugineous, lightly marked on dorsum
with fuscous and also the legs annulated with the same color. Vertex
barely more than twice the breadth of one of the eyes. Pronotum with the
dorsum strongly compresso elevated anteriorly before the shoulders ;
median carina gently arcuato-cristate forward to near the front border,
and backward abruptly descending between the shoulders ; surface on
either side of crest and lateral lobes strongly rugose-scabrous ; dorsum
behind the crest somewhat flattened and profoundly reticulose-scabrous,
presenting many little cratiform elevations ; the median carina of pro-
notum here very thin and indistinct ; anterior carina: behind the front
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 89
margin abbreviated but distinct ; lateral carinae of the posterior process
very thin, lightly compressed, and minutely serrate, the apex of pro-
notum produced, little upturned and extended backward to apex of pos-
terior femora.
Total length of body 9 mm.; pronotum 8 mm.; posterior femora 5 mm.
One female from Marcapata, Peru, South America. In my
collection.
TRIGONOFEMORA gen. nov.
Characters : Body coarsely granulose, rugose and spar-
ingly tuberculose. Head slightly compresso-elevated ; face
subvertical ; antennae inserted below the ventro-anterior bor-
der of the eyes ; ocelli placed between the lower third of eyes,
barely visible in profile view ; eyes small, higher than the
dorsum and scarcely at all more elevated than the vertex ;
vertex anteriorly truncate, broader than one of the eyes, mid-
dle lightly carinate forward, on either side between the eyes
foveate ; occiput strongly sloping backward ; frontal costa
evenly divergent forward but the rami moderately separated.
Pronotum distinctly flattened on the dorsum, truncate an-
teriorly, posteriorly subulate ; median carina of pronotum
behind the anterior border often compresso-elevated ; humeral
angles laterally prominent, carinate, and obtuse augulate ;
the posterior angles of the lateral lobes rather narrowly sub-
rectangularly truncate, the inferior margins very little turned
outward ; elytral sinus above shallow, the inferior sinus deeply
and angular^ incised. Elytra oblong ; wings perfectly ex-
plicate. Femora little compressed, elongate, carinae of an-
terior femora triquetrous, the external pagina with the oblique
rugae strongly prominent, the carina of the outer face below7
very pronounced ; femoral and genicular denticles very strongly
triangularly produced. First and third articles of the pos-
terior tarsi equal in length.
Trigonofemora fossulatus sp. nov.— Ferruginous above, legs very light
green, often mottled below with black. Vertex much wider than one of
the eyes, front border truncate and barely advanced so far as the eyes,
the anterior carina; outwardly on each side abruptly curved backward,
between the eyes on each side foveate, occiput declivous posteriorly.
Pronotum with the dorsum distinctly flattened, strongly widened between
the shoulders ; just behind the shoulders deeply bifossulate, posteriorly
rugose-scabrous interspersed with tubercles ; median carina of pronotum
9O ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
close to the anterior margin obsolete, between the sulcations compresso-
cristate, but the small crest not elevated above the eyes ; on either side
of the base of crest presenting a small tumose eminence ; posteriorly the
median carina becomes interrupted, being undulate-subserrulate ; an-
terior carince behind the front margin abbreviated but distinct. Elytra
oblong subacuminate toward the apex ; wings perfectly explicate, ex-
tended backward little beyond the apex of pronotal process. Posterior
femora above strongly carinate, provided with a small secondary denticle
just above the strongly prominent femoral lobe ; posterior tibiae with
both margins sparingly armed with spines ; the first articles of the pos-
terior tarsus having the pulvilli of gradually increasing length, from the
first to the third.
Total length, 13 mm.; pronotum, 11.5 mm.; posterior femora, 5.5 mm.
One female from Callanga, Peru, S. Am. In my collection.
STENODORSUS gen. nov.
Characters : Body granulose rugulose. Head not exserted
or elevated ; face little oblique ; antennae slender filiform, in-
serted between the lower part of the eyes ; ocelli placed bet-
ween the middle of the eyes ; eyes moderately small, little
elevated but not prominent, viewed from above subreniform,
in profile conoidal. Vertex anteriorly truncate, subequal in
breadth to one of the eyes, middle indistinctly carinate anteri-
orly ; frontal costa narrowly sulcate, the rami almost imper-
ceptibly widening forward to the median ocellus ; maxillary
palpi slender, the apical article slightly depresso-ampliate.
Pronotum anteriorly truncate, posteriorly acute, strongly ex-
tended backward beyond the apex of posterior femora ; dorsum
very narrow between the shoulders, somewhat flattened ;
humeral angles very widely obtuse, the scapular area clearly
defined by the presence of humero-apical carinse ; posterior
angles of lateral lobes subobtusely rounded. Elytra oblong ;
wings perfectly explicate. Superior or elytral sinus much
shallower than the inferior sinus. Femoral margins subeutire ;
posterior femora slender ; genicular and antegenicular den-
ticles small, acute, margins of posterior tarsi minutely serrate
and sparingly armed with small spines. First and third
articles of posterior tarsi equal in length.
This genus resembles Allotettix, but differs from that genus in
the narrower body, the insertion of the antennae between the
ventral part of the eyes, and the situation of the superior ocelli
between the middle of the eyes.
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 91
Stenodorsus extennatus sp. nov. — Ferruginous, sometimes indistinctly
infuscate. Vertex subequal in breadth to one of the eyes, little narrowed
forward, truncate anteriorly, the frontal carina on each side little elevato-
curvate ; behind the frontal carinae provided with little oblong fossae,
occupying the space on each side of the median carina between the an-
terior half of the eyes. Pronotum with the dorsum flattened or barely
convex, very narrow prolongate, provided forward on each side with a
large longitudinal ruga ; median carina of pronotum percurrent, moder-
ately conspicuous, little elevated ; on each side of dorsum forward bet-
ween the carinae longitudinally bicanaliculate, posteriorly the surface
often rugoso-punctulate ; forward between the front of shoulders rarely
provided with very indistinct abbreviated carina on each side ; humero-
apical carinae present, dividing off moderately wide scapular areas over-
lying the shoulders ; apical process of pronotum very lengthily extended
backward, little longer than the wings, or rarely equal in the male.
Elytra oblong, acuminate toward the apex ; wings perfectly explicate.
Posterior tibise narrow, very lightly expanded toward the apices, the
apical half little curved outward, the outer margin of the distal third part
armed with minute denticles but the inner fifth part unarmed ; the third
pulvilli of the posterior tarsi equal in length to the first and second art-
icles combined, and flat below. Total length of body 9, 16 mm.; pro-
notum, 15 mm.; posterior femora, 6.5 mm. <j\ 14-14. 25 mm.; pronotum,
12 5'T3-5 mm.; posterior femora, 5.25-5.5 mm.
Numerous specimens in my collection from Marcapata,
Peru, South America.
— • <»> i —
North Carolina Records of Odonata in 1904 and 1905
With Corrections of Some Previous Records.
BY C. S. BRIMLEY.
In the following list all noteworthy North Carolina records
of Odonata for the years 1904 and 1905, except the Lake Ellis
data,* are included. The specimens were taken by myself
unless otherwise stated. Species marked with a star *, have
not been previously recorded from the state.
Gomphus sorditus Hagen. Hobton, Sampson Co., one female April
27, 1904. F. Sherman.
Gomphaeschna furcillata Say. Raleigh, April 19, 27, 1904 ; April 3, 1905.
Basiaeschna Janata Say. Raleigh, April 14, 1904, a male and female.
*Aeschna constricta Say. Raleigh Nov. 7, 1904, one male.
Macromia taeniolata Ramb. Raleigh, Aug. 9, 1904, one male.
*Neurocord2tlia obsoleta Say. Wilmington, Aprils, 1905, G. M. Btntley.
Tetragoneuria cynosura Say. Wilmington, April 5, 1905, one ; Wal-
lace, Duplin Co., April 5, 1905, one ; G. M. Bentley.
* See p. 81,
92 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
Helocordulia selysii Hagen. Wallace, April 4, 1904, R. W. Collett ;
Southern Pines, March 27, 1905, G. M. Bentley. Both these
specimens, which are females, have the triangles of the fore-
wings once crossed, the triangles of the hindwings free, and
internal triangles present in both hind wings, but two other
specimens, male and female taken at Lumberton, April 7,
1903, have the triangles of both fore and hind wings free from
cross veins, and internal triangle absent in both hind wings of
female, and present in left, but absent in right, hind wing of
male.
Somatochlora tenebrosa Say. Raleigh, Sept. 15, 1904, one female.
This specimen, as also a male of the same species taken at
Raleigh, July 10, 1903, and a female of 5. filosa taken at Lum-
berton, Sept. 6, 1902, have the triangles of both fore and hind
wings once crossed.
Mesothemis simplicicollis Say. Cape Hatteras, one taken in July by
my brother's little boys.
Libellula flavida Ramb. Lillington, Harnett Co., June 28, 1904, one;
Raleigh, Sept. 17, 1904, one.
Libellula cyanea Fab. Lillington, June 28, 1904, one.
Libellula semifasciata Burm. LaGrange, Lenoir Co., Aug. 9, 1904,
Sherman ; Warsaw, Duplin Co., May 19, 1905, Sherman.
Libellula auripennis Burm. Cape Hatteras, four taken by my brother's
little boys in July, 1905 ; Raleigh, June 5, 1905, one female.
*Tramea lacerata Hagen. Wilmington, July 21, 1905, J. W. Spoon, one
male.
Pantalaflavescens Fab, Raleigh, Sept. 23, 1905, one teneral male.
Lestesforcipatus Rambur. Warsaw, May 19, 1905, Sherman.
Argia bipunctulata Hagen. Lillington, June 28, 1904, one.
Argia apicalis Say. Lillington, June 28, 1904, one.
CORRECTIONS.
1. The female specimen of Gomphus notatiis recorded pre-
viously from L,umberton (ENT. NEWS, May, 1903, p. 151), is
not that species, but apparently Gomphus amnicola Walsh.
2. The three specimens of Gomphiis parvulus recorded pre-
viously from L/umberton (ENT. NEWS, , March, 1904, p. 100),
are certainly not that species, but so far as I can make out,
Gomphns abbreviatus Selys.
3. I am now of the opinion that the specimens of Libellula
axillena, recorded from Raleigh (ENT. NEWS, May, 1903,
March, 1904), are not that form but L. incesta. The Beaufort
and L,ake Ellis specimens are, however, true axillena.
Mar., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
93
Notes on the True Neuroptera.
I. — Brachynemurus Curriei, a New Ant Lion from Texas,
BY J. F. McCLENDON.
Brachynemurus curriei sp. nov.
Male. — Length 34 mm. Expanse of wings 34 mm. Mottled yellow
and fuscous. Occiput yellow at sides, fuscous in the middle. Vertex
fuscous with a narrow yellow stripe from eye to eye just behind the
antennas. The antennae would reach hack to the bases of the forewings ;
they are brown, with yellow rings marking the articulations ; basal joint
yellow ; basal and second joints swollen. Front yellow, fuscous around
the bases of the antennae. Mandibles yellow, tipped with fuscous. Palpi
yellow, tipped with fuscous. Pronotum a little longer than broad, taper-
ing anteriorly, fuscous with a median longitudinal yellow band ; a few
long hairs. Mesothorax mottled yellow and fuscous ; a few short hairs.
Legs yellow with circular fuscous bands. Tibial spurs reach past three
joints of the tarsus. Claws fuscous. Wing veins fuscous, interrupted
with yellow. Pterostigma pale. In forewings a fuscous spot two-thirds
the way between pterostigma and posterior margin. Abdomen fuscous,
hairy. Genital appendages about as long as diameter of abdomen.
Female.— Length, 28 mm Expanse of wings, 40 mm. Stouter than
male. Genital appendages shorter than diameter of abdomen. Other
characters as in male.
Fig. i. — Brachvnrinui n A ,-iti-riei n. sp. Male to left and female to right, about 1^3 natural si/e.
Type No. 9725 U. S. National Museum collected by Mr.
H. S. Barber, at Brownsville, Texas. Cotypes : two males
from Esperanzo, May 20, 1904, and Los Barregos, June 6,
1904, both in vicinity of Brownsville ; six females from Browns-
ville and vicinity, all taken by Mr. Barber.
94 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
A Second Species of the Hymenopterous Genus Odon-
tophyes Konow (Xyelinae).
BY JOHN C. BRIDWELL.
Entomological Laboratory, Mass. Agr. Col., Amherst, Mass.
Odontophyes ferruginea n. sp.
9. i [.5 mm. Length of wing, 12 mm. Dull ferruginous, the follow-
ing parts more or less infuscated : eyes, indefinite spot over ocelli,
a pair of lateral indefinite spots in front of this, anterior lobe of meso-
notum, lateral lobes along the sutures and behind, the lateral spot
extending over upon the sides of the scutellum, metanotum, basal
plate, two large spots upon second dorsal abdominal segment, the five
succeeding dorsal segments excepting their lateral and posterior margins,
the latter being extended forward with each side into a light spot nearly
enclosed by the dark color.
These parts yellowish : basal joint, antennae and the nine small ter-
minal joints, clypeus and face above to insertion of antennae, anterior and
posterior orbits, labrum, mandibles except apex, the other mouth parts,
tegulae, summits of coxce, trochanters, anterior and middle femora and
tibiae in front, base and extreme apex of hind femora, basal half of hind
tibiae, hind tibiae and the venter of the abdomen.
Wings yellowish hyaline, the nervures and stigma brown.
The markings of the thorax and posterior regions of the head are in-
definite and the colors run into each other. The bands upon the pos-
terior legs are particularly distinct.
Described from one 9 specimen in the author's collection
taken by him at Baldwin, Kansas, in April, upon the flowers of
the early shrub willow.
This species agrees perfectly with Konow's characterization
of the genus. From the only species hitherto known O. avi-
ingrata Dyar, the ferruginous ground color sufficiently dis-
tinguishes it, Dr. Dyar's species being described as steel
blue. Odontophyes aviingrata was described in Psyche 8:213,
1898, as a species of Pleuroneura and the genus was erected by
Konow (Wien. Eut. Zeit. 18:41, 1899) for its reception. Our
species must resemble rather closely Megaxyela major Cresson,
but differs by the generic characters. The genera Megaxyela,
Odontophyes and Pleuroneura are very closely related and care-
ful collecting may reveal intermediates.
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 95
New Butterflies and Moths With Notes on Some
Species.
BY HENRY SKINNER.
Prof. F. H. Snow, of the University of Kansas, sent me a
small collection of L,epidoptera, taken last summer at Browns-
ville, Texas, and on the San Bernardino Ranch in Cochise
County, Arizona. Syssphinx hciligbrodti Harvey, $ , Browns-
ville, Texas, June. The type of this species came from Bos-
trop Co. , Texas. The books and lists generally give Arizona
as the locality and omit Texas.
Tolype brevicrista Dyar, $ . San Bernardino Ranch, Co-
chise Co., Ariz., 3750 ft., August. This gives a definite lo-
cality for this pretty species.
Gonodonta pyrgo Cramer. Brownsville, Texas, June. A
single specimen agrees fairly well with Cramer's figure.
Rhescipha snowi n. sp. 9? Exp. 40 mm.? Head, antennae, palpi,
thorax, lower half of fore femora and tibiae light brown ; underside of
thorax, middle and hind legs white. Primaries light brown and, under
a lense, irrorate with minute dark brown dots ; a brown dot in the cell.
There is an indistinct brown shade extending into the wing from the
outer angle. Secondaries a lighter shade of brown (fawn) and immacu-
late, with upper side of abdomen same color as secondaries. The speci-
men is fresh, but the tips of the wings are damaged.
Described from a single specimen taken at Brownsville,
Texas, June. This is a new genus to our fauna, and so far
as I am aware the second species known.
Ruscino arida n. sp. Exp. 26 mm. Head, thorax and abdomen yel-
low ; antennae and legs fuscous. Primaries crossed by four fasciae ; the
basal one black and 4 mm. wide ; the second yellow and 3 mm. wide ;
the third black and 3.5 mm. wide ; the fourth yellow and lunate, 2 mm.
wide ; this fascia does not reach the costa or outer margin, which is
black. Secondaries yellow with a black border 4 mm. in width.
The species in this genus appear to be of doubtful value,
and it will take larger series or breeding to diminish them.
This is apparently the first record for this genus in the United
States, and it was this fact that made it seem advisable to de-
scribe the species. It is related to R. prnsias Druce, and is
described from one specimen taken by Prof. F. H. Snow at
San Bernardino Ranch, Cochise Co., Ariz., 3,750 ft., August.
96 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., "06
Cosmosoma rubrigutta n. sp. Exp. 40 mm. Wings hyaline ; antennae
black ; head black with blue scales on top ; collar and patagiae orange;
thorax black with blue spots ; abdomen black with three metallic blue
spots on the segments, arranged in a triangle ; legs fuscous. Primaries
as in auge, except that the costa, base and interior margins are orange ;
there is also an orange spot at the end of the cell, surrounded with black ;
this spot is 2 mm. in length. Secondaries, basal half orange, outer
part black.
C. impar Walk. Biol. Cent.-Amer. Het. iii, pi. 71, f 22,
looks very much like this species except in relation to base of
the secondaries and the discal spot.
Described from one specimen taken by Prof. F. H. Snow at
Douglas, Arizona, August.
Pyrgus occidentalism sp.
This is a smaller and generally whiter species than tessellata
Scudder, and is found in the Northwest territory and in the
southwest generally. I hope to give figures of this form in
the near future. Prof. Snow sent me specimens from San
Bernardino Ranch, CochiseCo., Arizona, August, and Browns-
ville, Texas.
There has been a terrific mix up in the literature in regard
to tessellata Scud., syrichtus Fab., and montivagus Reak. All
authors have them incorrectly placed. Tessellatus and syr-
ichtus are abundantly distinct and montivagus is a synonym of
syrichtus.
Description of American Moths of the Genus Ceros-
toma.
BY AUGUST BUSCK.
U. S. National Museum, Washington, D. C.
The genus Cerostoma Latreille, of which many species are
common in Europe, has not yet been recorded from and pro-
bably is not found in eastern United States, but is evidently
amply represented in the West.
In a revision of the genus and its near allies (Journ. N. Y.
Ent. Soc. ix, p. 45, 1903) the writer recorded eleven species
from the West and Southwest, and I am now able to add four
more striking forms to the known species of this pretty group
of Microlepidoptera.
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 97
The known American species may be separated by the fol-
lowing table, which is merely my former synopsis, amplified
to include the additional species :
Forewings with round second discal dot i.
Forewings without such dot 2.
1. With blackish streak above the fold aleutianella Beut.
Without such streak unicipunctella Busck.
2. With longitudinal black streaks 3.
Without longitudinal black streaks 7.
3. With continuous black streaks from base to tip 4.
Without such streak 5.
4. Black central streak edged with white dorsally . . flavisirigella n. sp.
Forewings without white streak schwarziella Busck.
5. Ground color pure white striatella Busck.
Ground color not white 6.
6. Head ochreous manella Busck.
Head black and white barberella Busck.
7. Head pure white 8.
Head not pure white 9.
8. Forewings with strong well defined markings . . . angelicella Busck.
Forewings without such markings vintrella n. sp.
9. Apex of forewings cupreous undulatella n. sp.
Apex not cupreous 10.
10. Ground color ochreous white maculatella n. sp.
Ground color not white 11.
n. Alar expanse less than 19 mm 12.
Alar expanse more than 21 mm 13.
12. Membrane between veins 11 and 12 in forewings thickened.
radiatella Don.
Membrane not thickened rubrella Dyar.
13. Forewings light olive brown olivella Busck.
Forewing dark purplish brown arizonella Busck.
Cerostoma flavistrigella sp. nov.
Antenna; dark fuscous without color annulations. Labial palpi whit-
ish ochreous, finely mottled with black. Face and head dirty ochreous,
each scale tipped with white, preceded by dark brown. Thorax dark
fuscous. Forewing dark fuscous, mottlec and streaked with black,
especially on the costal half. A continuous black streak from base to
apex limits the darker costal half of the wing ; below and edging it
through its entire length is a broader longitudinal white streak, which,
together with the rest of the dorsal part, is more sparsely mottled with
black Hindwings dark fuscous. Abdomen dark fuscous, tarsal joints
tipped with ochreous.
Alar expanse, 22-24 mm.
98 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
Had.—Coso Valley, California (Koebele coll.) May, U. S. N.
M. type No. 9806.
Closely allied to C. barberella, but at once distinguished from
all described American species by the central longitudinal
white streak.
Cerostoma maculatella sp. nov.
Antennae white, sharply annulated with dark brown except on basal
fourth. Labial palpi white. Face white. Head and thorax ochreous
white. Forewings ochreous white ; basal half of costal edge ochreous
fuscous. From the base runs a broad, dark, ochreous fuscous band out-
wards below the fold, touching the dorsal edge and then curving up-
wards to the fold. At the end of the cell is a large, oblong, pronounced,
dark fuscous spot, produced into a still larger paler ochreous patch,
which covers most of the apical third of the wing and emits three dark
fingers to the costal edge. Hind wings paler fuscous. Abdomen
ochreous white. Legs white, mottled with black exteriorly.
Alar expanse, 20-22 mm.
Hab.— Bright Angel, Arizona (Barber coll.) May, U. S. N.
M. type No. 9807.
This species is nearest to C. angelicella, and quite similar
though not identical in design, but differs in the dingy ground
color and the more diffused and darker markings.
Cerostoma vintrella sp. nov.
Antennae white with sharp prominent dark brown annulations. Labial
palpi white. Face, head and thorax pure white, patagina ochreous.
Forewings white with indistinct and ill-defined, light ochreous fuscous
markings ; the most persistent of these are a central longitudinal row of
three large oblong spots, more or less connected by single dark scales,
and a series of equidistant costal, apical and dorsal spots around the
edge of the apical third of the wing. There are also two ochreous
fuscous costal spots, one at basal third and one at the middle of the
wing, and two or more dorsal spots, but none of these markings
are very constant and in even slightly worn specimens they are all
more or less obliterated, so that the wing appears nearly immaculate
or merely dusted with dark scales. Hindwings light gray. Abdomen
dark fuscous. Legs white.
Alar expanse, 17-22 mm.
Hab. — Colorado Canon, Arizona, 2300 feet alt. (Barber
coll.) May. U. S. N. M. type No. 9808.
Nearest, on account of the white color, to C. striatclla, but
very different from that and all other described American
species.
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 99
Cerostoma undulatella sp. nov.
Antennae light fuscous with indistinct darker annulations. Labial
palpi white, dusted with black. Face, head and thorax bluish white
minutely dusted with black atoms, each scale being white with dark
lines. Forewings bluish silvery white, densely overlaid with black and
brown in ill-defined wavy transverse lines. Each white scale is tipped
with black. The apical part of the wing is strongly cupreous brown,
especially around the edge. Cilia bluish white, dusted with black.
Hindwing light fuscous. Abdomen silvery fuscous. Legs white dusted
with black ; tarsal joints black, tipped with ochreous.
Alar expanse, 20 mm.
Hab.— Williams, Arizona (Barber) July. U. S. N. M.
type No. 9809.
Very distinct from all the known American species of Ceros-
toma and at once recognized by the wavy color effect and the
cupreous wingtips.
— •• —
A SUGGESTION TO COLLECTORS ON THE SOUTHEASTERN COASTS OF
THE UNITED STATES. — Recent study of Erythrodiplax berenice Drury
(also known as Micrathyria or Diplax berenice} and of Hagen's Dythe-
inis naeva make it probable that these two Odonates grade into each
other as subspecies in the sense of the Code of the American Ornitholo-
gists' Union. Berenice has been found on the coast from Massachusetts
to North Carolina, naeva in southern Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba, Guate-
mala and Panama. Intermediates occur in Texas and Mexico. Of Odo-
nata from the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, northern Florida and
the Gulf nothing is known. Anyone familiar with berenice, visiting these
last-named localities, would do well to gather a large series of any forms
which appeared to resemble berenice and so shed some light on the rela-
tionship suggested above. — PHILIP P. CALVERT.
EDITOR ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. — I noticed in the Notes and News of
the June (1905) NEWS your report of the capture of Pyrgus centaiiff>c
at lona. N. J., which is, as you state, "apparently the first record for
centaurece south of the Orange Mountains." So much attention is now
being given to the making of local lists, and the determination of the
geographic range of each species, that the records which I am able to
add to yours will doubtless be of interest. Though not as far south as
lona these localities are all farther south than the Orange Mts. The fol-
lowing captures were made during May, 1904, on the dates and at the
places specified : 3d, one $ centaurece, Millersville, Lancaster Co., Pa.;
7th, one 9 cenlaurece, York Furnace, Lancaster, Pa.; 8th, one $ cen-
taurece, Peque Creek, four miles from Millersville ; i4th, one $ cen-
taurece, Welch Mts., near New Holland, Pa.: i5th, one cT, one ? cen-
taurece, Tucquan, Pa.; 2ist, two <j\ three 9 centaurece, Tucquan, Pa.—
JOHN H. COOK.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items
of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given
in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors.— All contributions will be considered and passed upon at oui
earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep-
tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num-
ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or
important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five " extras," without change in form,
will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along
with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.— ED.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., MARCH, 1906.
More than sixteen years ago, when the first number of the
NEWS appeared, we had sixteen pages and no illustrations.
This number contains thirty-six pages of reading matter, two
pages of exchanges and two pages of advertisements and the
cover.
The growth of the NEWS has been steady and healthful, and
we sincerely hope it may be able to maintain its present size
and gradually increase to a fifty page monthly. We have
received more praise than condemnation, therefore we have
succeeded We have not pleased everybody, but we are recon-
ciled when we remember that the most clubs are found under
the best apple trees.
With the aid of our many friends and subscribers we hope
to grow and improve and become the greatest journal of ento-
mology in the world. From now on we will publish not less
than thirty-six pages monthly.
THE RECENT meeting of the Association of Economic Entomologists
in New Orleans was a very successful one, over thirty members being
present. About thirty very interesting papers were read. The next
meeting will be held next winter in New York City, in conjunction with
the A. A. A. S. The following officers were elected for the ensuing
year : President, A. H. Kirkland, Maiden, Mass.; ist Vice-President,
W. E. Britton, New Haven, Conn ; 2nd Vice-President, H. A. Morgan,
Knoxville, Tenn.; Secretary-Treasurer, A. F. Burgess, Columbus, Ohio.
For member Committee on Nomenclature to serve three years, Herbert
Osborn, Columbus, Ohio. For members Council A. A. A. S. : H. E.
Summers, Ames, Iowa ; E. A. Schwarz, Washington, D. C. — H. E. SUM-
MERS, Retiring Secretary, A. E. E.
JOO
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. IOI
Notes and. Ne\vs.
ENTOMOLOGICAL, GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
A CORRECTION. — In a short article published in the ENTOMOLOGICAL
NEWS for February, 1905, I stated that Modes coriacea Lee. had been
found in the Province of Quebec. I regret to say that this statement is
not correct ; I should have said Pachyta rugipennis Newm. I was led
astray by Abbe" Provancher in his "Additions aux Coleopteres de la
Province de Quebec," 1878, page 14, where he describes P. rugipennis
under the name of Piodes coriacea. — G. CHAGNON.
EUBAPHE OSTENTA Hy. Edw. was described from one male taken at
Prescott, Arizona. This species was so abundant at light in Carr Canyon,
Huachuca Mts., Cochise Co., Ariz., during August as to be a nuisance.
It fluttered around the lamp in such numbers as to interfere with the col-
lecting of other species, and it was necessary from time to time to clear
the table of the dead and fallen. The bright crimson and black secon-
daries make it a conspicuous object. I generally spoke of it as the red-
light nuisance to my host, Mr. Biederman. — HENRY SKINNER.
MR RENEOBERTHUR has been collecting the overwintering nest of
Euproctis chrysorrhoea to send to Boston in order that parasites may
possibly be reared from them to assist the New England people in their
right against the brown-tail moth. Mr. Oberthur's collectors have
aroused much interest in some of the country regions in France. The
newspaper in a small town comments upon the arrival at the hotel of a
stranger of fine appearance and decorated, who announced that he was
willing to buy the nests of caterpillars. Soon large sacks of caterpillar
nests were brought in by the farming people, were packed in large boxes
and sent to Rennes. The object of this purchase was not announced,
but the people did some guessing. One man suggested that they were
intended to make silk to replace that imported from China, since the
Japanese, now having control of China, did not wish to sell any more
silk to France ; another person suggested that the object was to rear the
caterpillars in order to extract the diamonds from the heads of some of
them since it is a well-known fact that occasionally a caterpillar is found
with a diamond in its head ; a third countryman suggested that the object
was to remove the nests from the caterpillars and use them in filtering
the city water of Rennes. The editor of the newspaper, with an eye to
business, gives these three theories and promises his readers that if they
will look in the next Sunday's edition he will give them the true use of
these nests. — L. O. HOWARD.
Doings of Societies.
A meeting of the American Entomological Society was held
June 22d, 1905, Dr. P. P. Calvert, President, in the chair. Nine
persons were present.
Mr. Daecke reported taking fifteen specimens of Chrysops
fallax at Winona, N. J., on June aad. He spoke of the value
IO2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
of differentiating the species of Chrysops by a study of the eyes.
Mr. Rehn said he had been making a study of crickets from
Costa Rica of the family Trigonidiinge, genera Anaxiphia and
Falcicula, and had found still another genus which was new.
These generic differences were elucidated. Dr. Skinner ex-
hibited Megaihymus polingi and Hetcropia melon arizonensis,
new butterflies.
Dr. Calvert spoke of the ^Eshninae the largest of dragon-
flies and particularly of the genus Gynacantha. Its northern
range is Florida, and it is found in both the Old and New
worlds. Some of the species are crepuscular. The comparative
anatomy of the genus and its allies was discussed.
HENRY SKINNER, Secretary.
At the meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social held Jan-
uary 17, 1906, at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 S.
i3th Street, Philadelphia, ten members were present, and Mr.
F. Haimbach, Jr., visitor.
The President, Mr. E. Daecke, read his annual address,
which was ordered entered upon the minutes. The Treasur-
er's report was read and ordered filed. The Secretary's verbal
report was accepted. The following officers were elected to
serve for the year 1 906 : President, E. Daecke ; Vice- President,
C. Few Seiss ; Secretary, Frank Haimbach ; Treasurer, H. W.
Wenzel.
Mr. Huntington exhibited a photograph colored by Japanese-
Photo Water Color Co.
Mr. L/aurent reported finding at least 1000 egg masses of
Tenodera sinensis at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, during the past
fall, and suggested that the species should be common this
coming season.
Mr. Wenzel dwelt upon the chances of insect life after a
severe winter as compared with a mild one, and spoke of the
work of field mice destroying a vast number of insects during
the winter of 1904-1905. This was discussed by the mem-
bers. Adjourned.
FRANK HAIMBACH, Secretary.
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 103
A meeting of the American Entomological Society was held
April 27, 1905, Dr. Philip P. Calvert in the chair. Thirteen
persons were present. The President announced the deaths
of Dr. Henri de Saussure on February 2oth, elected a corres-
ponding member of the Society January 15, 1866, and of F.
M. Brauer, who died December 29, 1904, elected a corres-
ponding member October 28, 1897. Letters were read from
Brunner von Wattenwyl, Ignacio Bolivar and Nicolas Adelung
thanking the Society for having elected them corresponding
members.
Mr. Laurent said he had observed a specimen of Vanessa
antiopa on the stairway of his carriage house on Christmas
day and it remained there until Feb. i7th. Dr. Calvert spoke
of the Odonata collected by Mr. E. B. Williamson in Guate-
mala and sent to him for study. Two thousand seven hun-
dred specimens were collected in two months.
Mr. Weigand spoke of his success in sugaring for moths on
Holly Beach, New Jersey. Taking two hundred specimens in
one night was not unusual.
Mr. Snyder asked if the issuing of Hymenoptera during the
warm fall days has any effect in decreasing the spring brood.
Discussed by the members.
HENRY SKINNER, Secretary.
A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of
Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, was held May 25, 1905. Mr.
Philip Laurent, Director, presiding. Twelve persons were
present. Dr. Skinner exhibited Syntomidae from Venezuela,
which mimic Hymenoptera in a wonderful manner. Some
large Cicadas from Burma and the pretty moth Coptodisca
splendor if erella, the latter raised from cocoons taken by Mr.
Edward Potts, Media, Pa., were also shown.
Mr. Daecke called attention to the value of Canada balsam
for mounting small insects as they do not shell off as they do
when glue is used.
Mr. Rehn spoke of his studies of South American Truxa-
liuae Hylopteriges. Americans use the genus Tru. \alis and
the Europeans Metahptia. The question of the generic syno-
IO4 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
nymy of species described by Giglio-Tos and Bruner was dis-
cussed by the speaker and his own views given. Mr. Daecke
exhibited an Odonate new to the New Jersey list. The species
was Gomphus brevis and was taken at Brown's Mills Junction,
May 2 1 st. He also said Basiceschna Janata was uncommon in
collections, but not in the pine barrens of New Jersey.
Mr. Haimbach exhibited a box containing the Micro-lepid-
optera he had taken during the year, representing forty-four
species.
Dr. Calvert exhibited carbon tetrachloride and gave some to
the members to try as an insecticide. It is less inflammable
than carbon bisulphide and of a pleasanter odor.
Mr. Haimbach reported having received Catopsilia philea
from Kirkwood, Georgia.
HENRY SKINNER, Recorder.
The fifteenth regular meeting of the Pacific Coast Entomo-
logical Society was held on February 25, 1905, at the Califor-
nia Academy of Sciences. President Fuchs in the chair.
Eleven members were present. Two new members were
elected.
Mr. F. W. Nunenmacher exhibited a series of Hippodamia
sinuata and americana ; the specimens showed that the two
species intergrade, the markings forming a continuous series ;
all were collected in Alameda County, California ; also the
following: Coccidula scutellata (Berlin), C. rufa (Berlin), C.
lepida (New York), C. occidentalis (Cazaville, Quebec), Adalia
bipunctata (Massachusetts), A. ludovicez (W. T. ), A. frigida
var. ophthalmica (Siskiyou Co.), A. Jmmeralis (Tulare Co.).
Dr. F. E. Blaisdell reported the welfare of three larvae of
Omns ambiguus that had been brought from Mt. Shasta by
Mr. Beverly Letcher. They fed on flies and appeared more
sluggish and did not hibernate like the larvae of O. scquoiarum
previously reported. He also spoke upon several forms of
Blapstinus, e. g. , that he was inclined to refer the species col-
lected at Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras County, California, to
inquisitus, as the two sexes were about alike in form, although
the legs were reddish and not dark as in the Truckee form ; a
Mar., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 105
species taken at San Francisco he referred to fuliginosus, and
those taken in Contra Costa County to elongatus.
Dr. E. C. Van Dyke thought that each member of the
Society should specialize upon some group or order of insects.
He also spoke upon the life histories of insects, especially the
Carabidae, and the need of such work.
Mr. Edw. Ehrhorn also thought it the proper thing for each
member to take up some particular group and referred to the
myriads of small things to be found everywhere.
Dr. Blaisdell exhibited Elcodes rileyi.
Mr. F. X. Williams the following variations in Lepidoptera:
4 Chrysophanus gorgon, Pyrameis mulleri $ , Anthocharis auson-
iades 9 , 3 Melit&a chalcedon — one with a simple row of submar-
ginal yellow spots, another with a whitish discal cell, spring
and summer forms, the latter more than twice as large as the
former.
The sixteenth regular quarterly meeting of the Pacific Coast
Entomological Society was the annual field day, and was held
at Fairfax, Marin County, California, on June n, 1905. Nine
members and nine guests participated in the outing. Many
good things were taken. Mr. F. W. Nunenmacher obtained
two specimens of a blind Tenebrionide,* which is undoubtedly
a new and remarkable species and will necessitate the creation
of a new genus for its reception. It probably represents a new
tribe near the Scaurini. This makes the third species of blind
Tenebrionidae from California — Alaudes singularis and Typh-
lusedrus singularis being the other two species. Purpuricenus
dimidiata and Oberea quadricallosa were also taken. The
weather was too dry for fine collecting.
The seventeenth regular meeting of the Pacific Coast Ento-
mological Society was held on August 26, 1905, at the resi-
dence of Dr. F. E. Blaisdell, President Fuchs in the chair.
Ten members and ten guests were present. President Fuchs
read the following notice :
Members of the Pacific Coast Ent. Soc.
With sincere regret I have to announce the death of Mr.
* See p. 76.
106 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Mar., '06
Beverly Letcher. He passed away in San Francisco, July 17,
1905, at the age of 41 years. Born in San Francisco, Califor-
nia. With him were lost not only a good honest friend, but
also an excellent entomologist of bright ideas and deep obser-
vations in general entomology. His specialty was L,epidop-
doptera. I beg all present to rise and pay to our good friend
our sincerest esteem. I suggest that the Society draw up a
set of resolutions, showing our regard for him and that a copy
be presented to his mother, Mrs. Anna L/etcher.
The following committee was appointed to draw up the reso-
lutions : Dr. E. C. Van Dyke, James Cottle and Dr. F. E.
Blaisdell.
Dr. E. C. Van Dyke then reported "A Month's Outing in
Washington." He briefly considered the comparative geogra-
phy of Oregon and Washington, stating that he visited Mon-
roe, Tacoma, Paradise Park (Rainier) and Mt. Shasta. He
spoke of the general conditions in the two States, giving a
review of the geology past and present. He also considered
the flora and fauna.
He gave the results of his collecting at Monroe, in the for-
est and clearing, along streams and in the open swampy places;
collecting at Paradise Park was then taken up, with results in
collecting along the streams, on flowers, trees, on ice fields
and about tents, with the report of taking Cicindela dcpressula;
Nebrias on ground and under logs. He stated that he recog-
nized two faunas in Eastern Washington.
Mr. James Cottle gave a report of his summer's outing
(July iyth to 3ist) at Anderson Springs, L/ake County, Cali-
fornia, stating that he caught many Catocala as follows :
aholibah, pura , faustina , californica, deopatra, Ophelia, violenta,
zoe and what is undoubtedly a new species.
Mr. J. C. Huguenin gave an account of his outing in the
Yosemite National Park in the early part of July. At Wanona,
Mariposa County, he took Omus hornii. In the Yosemite
Valley he took Carabus t&datus var. , Pterostichus morionidcs
and Eleodes scabricula, parvicollis var. and consobrina var. It
proved too early for L/epidoptera.
F. E. BLAISDELL, M.D., Secretary.
THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE WEST COAST
BY W. G. WRIGHT, OF CALIFORNIA.
Who for twenty years has been gathering material fur this \\ork. Tin.- book is x \ 10
inches in size of pa.<<-', contains 260 pav.es ol t< \l, and 32 plates in tlic best <il
photography, containing nearly a thousand li.icures, photographed directly from \\\<-
insects themselves and reproduced in all their natural colors, and includes either in
the descriptioti or plates, or both, every species known on the West Coast.
A HANDBOOK FOR STUDENTS AND A
REFERENCE BOOK FOR LIBRARIES.
The species, from Parnassius to Mc.ijathytmis, 4*; names, are all figured, numbered,
and described consecutively. I'sually three figures are given of each ; ilie
male, tin female and the underside— but ot some variable or disputed forms additional
figures are added, and of common species only one figure is given. Similar forms are
placed on the plates as near together as possible to facilitate comparison .
ILLUSTRATIONS OF MANY WEST COAST
BUTTERFLIES NEVER BEFORE FIGURED
Sent by registered post prepaid to any country on receipt of price, 114.35, by
the author. The colored plates with all the figures named, but no text, are for
sale, singly, or in sets.
W. G. WRIGHT, 445 F. ST., SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
' ILLUSTRATIONS OF
DIURNAL LEPIDOPTERA
WITH DESCRIPTIONS
BY ANDREW GRAY WEEKS, JR., 190^
117 pages and 45 colored plates, by J. Henry Blake, ad. nat.,
and B. Meisel, lithographer, descriptive of 81 species hitherto
undescribed or figured, mostly from Bolivia, with steel plate
frontispiece of Samuel Hubbard Scudder.
The plates cover all species described and represent the limit
of perfection in lithographic art, being considered equal to. or
superior to, any previous productions. $15.00 postage paid.
H. PECK, AGENT, 8 CONGRESS STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
RARE ARIZONA INSECTS FOR SALE
Orders taken for Amb/ychila haroni, /'/Hsiohs bcyeri, P. /ecotifei,
quercus, Byrsopolis lanigera. Ncopliasia tcrlooli, and other rare butterflies
and moth-;. Fine fresh specimens of /'/nsiotis g'/on'osct, fr.oo. Pup;e of
Crinodes biedermatii, $2.50 each. Imagos, after July, #5.00. Apply to
C. K. mEDEKMAX, Pulmorlee, CooliiNe (Bounty, Arizona.
WEST INDIAN INSECTS.
LEPIDOPTERA, COLEOPTERA AND HYMENOPTERA A SPECIALTY
Mr. ('. II. Armstrong, laic < "n rat or Nat ural nistnr> Society, ["oronlo,
Canada, is now On a i •ollectiny- trip in Ihe \\est Ii'ulie
reside llu-re pennan<-ntl\-. solicit^ lor insi ,
catch, or in lamilic-s, or cithi'i \\ ise.
Address C. H. Armstrong, Georgetown, Demerara, W. I.
Wlieii Writiiijj I'l^iiM^ Mention " Kiiti>iiio!<ii:i< n I NI-HS."
THE KNY-SCHEERER CO.
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APRIL, 1906.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
Vol. XVII.
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Limnophila aspidoptera Coquillett.
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ENT. NEWS, Vol. XVII.
PI. III.
CULEX VARIPALPUS COQ.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. XVII. APRIL, 1906. No. 4.
CONTENTS:
Blaisdell— Notes and descriptions of
the larva of Culex varipalpus Coq. 107
Coquillett — A new Culr\ inai rmriei.
Britton — Some new or little known
Aleyrodida- from Comiei ticut— II
Slingerland — Formaldehyde as an in-
Skinner— On Dr. Dyar's Review of the secticide 130
Hesperidte no Williamson — Dragonflies (Odonatai
Riley— A Malpighian tube within the collected by Dr. D. A. Atkinson in
heart 113 Newfoundland, with notes on some
Houghton — Notes on C:vnoi:ara ocu- species of Somatochlora
lata Sav 114 Johnson — An emergency case in insect
McClendon— Notes on the true Neurop-
tera 1 16
Howard — An interesting new genus
and species of Encyrtidie 121
Aldrich — The Dipterous genus Calo-
tarsa, with one new species 123
architecture 139
Editorial 140
Doings of Societies 141
Notes and Description of the Larva of Culex varipal-
pus Coq.
BY F. E. BLAISDELL.
(Plate III)
At the 1 4th meeting of the Pacific Coast Entomological So-
ciety (ENT. NEWS, Vol. XVI, No. 3, p. 96, I reported the
finding of an interesting Gii/ex larva in Contra Costa Co.,
Calif. Imagines subsequently bred from the larva were sub-
mitted to Prof. Coquillett, who pronounced the species Culc.v
varipalpus.
The larvae are remarkable for their elongate form, large
anal branchiae and sluggish, awkward movements. All of the
larvae of this species that I have seen were taken from a hole
in a sycamore tree ; for the last three years they have been
abundant, from July to January, when there was sufficient
rain to keep water in the hole.
The largest larvae (Fig. i of Plate) are 7 to 8 mm. in
length, including the siphon, and nearly six times lunger than
the width of the prothorax. Color is yellowish lo a dirty
107
108 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
white, anal siphon more or less black, head ferrugineous with
sutures ventrally and spots laterally piceous.
The head is subquadrate, narrower than the prothorax,
slightly wider than the abdominal segments, comparatively
small in the younger larvae, widest at or just back of the eyes,
tempora scarcely at all subangulate, the frontal surface quite
evenly and moderately convex. The antennae (Fig. 6) are
more or less piceous, usually whitish beneath, slightly more
than one-half as long as the head, very feebly arcuate, cylin-
drical, slightly and gradually narrowing at apex, and termi-
nating in a small colorless, pointed segment ; laterally at mid-
dle is a long seta.
The mandible (Fig. 9) and palpus (Fig. 10) are sufficiently
characterized by the figures. The mentum (Figs. 7 and 8) is
triangular with the sides slightly arcuate, and finely subden-
ticulo-crenulate, the internal surface (Fig. 8) is clothed with
very fine hairs or cilia.
The thorax is transversely oval ; at each side there are four
or five well-developed tufts of long setae, of which the dorsal
two are only given in the figure.
The abdominal segments, 3 to 7, are subequal, segments
i and 2 are apparently "shorter.
The pecten of the eighth segment consists of a patch on
each side of the segment, of about 15 to 19 chitinous scales,
apparently arranged in two transverse rows ; one or two scales
may constitute another or third row ; the anterior row has 9 or
10 scales, while the posterior some 5 or 6, their line of attach-
ment being just caudad to that of the anterior row, and usually
alternating with them ; sometimes they are arranged in ante-
rior-posterior series, which is never perfect ; each scale is elon-
gate, flattened, with the margins fringed with spines (Fig. 4),
the scales vary in form as indicated by the figures.
The anal siphon is about three times as long as wide, ap-
parently shorter in the younger larvae. The siphonal pecten
consists of a single straight series of 13 scales, situated at
basal fifth and reaching the base. Each scale (Fig. 3) is very
acute, with one to three smaller spines at proximal side of the
base.
April, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. IOQ
The anal branchiae are little more than four times longer than
wide, and about equal to the 5th, 6th and jih abdominal seg-
ments taken together ; each branchia has a median longitudi-
nal trachea with short lateral rami that may divide once or
twice ; small rounded areas are to be observed scattered
sparsely within the branchia, within each circle is a small
central circle. The brauchia are easily detached.
The setae of the larvae are peculiar, inasmuch as they are
clothed with fine hairs. Figure 5 represents the basal part of
a thoracic tuft, while figure 2 illustrates a tuft from the
eighth segment.
The larvae are fragile, especially in preservative fluids.
In the pupae the respiratory siphons are small and compara-
tively inconspicuous, while the two anal branchiae are nearly
oval, slightly longer than wide, slightly and rather broadly
emarginate at apex, with a small, slender seta projecting back-
wards from the centre of the emargination ; margins at sides
are minute spinulo-denticulate, at apex minutely spinulose.
As a whole the pupa is slender, the abdomen elongate, and
distinctly dorso-ventrally depressed.
A new Culex near curriei.
BY D. W. COOUILLETT.
Culex lativittatus, n. sp.
So very similar to curriei that I am unable to detect any difference,
except in the stripe of brown scales in the middle of the mesonotum. In
the present species this stripe is very broad, covering more than one-fifth
of the width of the mesonotum, the borders almost parallel and well
marked. In curriei this stripe is much narrower, covering less than one-
ninth of the width of the mesonotum, its borders not well defined, usually
with a narrow line of brown scales on either side of it, but separated by
a stripe of yellowish white scales.
Santa Clara and Alameda Counties, California. A large
series of both sexes received from Miss Isabel McCracken.
This is evidently the species referred to by Mr. Ouayle in
the January number of the NEWS, under the name of curriei.
The latter appears to be a fresh-water species. Mr. Frederick
Knab informs me that the larvae of the two forms arc very
distinct.
110 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
On Dr. Dyar's Review of the Hesperidae.
BY HENRY SKINNER.
Dr. Dyar has published in the Journal of the New York
Entomological Society >! A Review of the Hesperidae of the
United States. The value of the paper is greatly impaired by
the lack of sub-family definitions, and it is impossible for any-
one not familiar with the sub-families to use the keys to the
genera the author gives. Nearly the whole classification of
the Hesperidse is based on the presence or absence of the costal
fold, a male secondary sexual character. The females there-
fore must work out their own salvation. This costal fold ap-
pears to be distributed through the family in a most arbitrary
way and in closely related species one will have it and the
other not. Unfortunately it has not been used in a logical
manner for generic separation. The two species, bathyllus
Abbott & Smith, and pylades Scudder, are remarkably close
specifically, yet bathyllus is the type of Thorybes Scudder and
pylades the type of Cocceius Godmau & Salvin. Cocceius is based
on the presence of a costal fold in the male. The logic and the
beauty of this is seen from the fact that in the genus Eudamus,
simplicius Stoll has a costal fold while dorantes Stoll lacks it.
Why are they not different genera ? This fact invalidates Dr.
Dyar's first key and makes such a classification absurd. The
genus Cogia Butler is based on another secondary sexual char-
acter, the presence of a pencil of hairs near the abdominal fold
of the secondaries. The species appear to be more nearly
related to species in the other genera as segregated. PJurdinus
caicus Herrich-Schaeffer, moschus Edws. , is so close specifically
to bathyllus that they are frequently confounded yet they are
placed in different genera. The same may be said of bathyllus
and pylades. The writer does not admit that a single second-
ary sexual character proves their non-relationship. In passing
it is noted that in the Biologia, caicus H. S. and moschus Ed-
wards, while not specifically separated, are said to differ by
the latter being lighter in color, palpi whiter and hyaline spots
larger, yet they separate Pyrrhopyga arizoncs and P. ara.vcs
•Vol. XIII, p. in.
April, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Ill
on the same or lesser characters and are followed by Dr. Dyar.
Inconsistencies of this character are frequent in the family.
Dr. Dyar says there is a costal fold in Murgaria (Eudaimis)
coyote Skinner and places it as a synonym of albodliata
Mabille. Godman and Salvin place one species, albodliata , in
Muro-aria and say it does not have a costal fold. If we logic-
ally follow out the significance of this we have a single species
in two genera. This is by no means unusual in " up-to-date
genera" as we see the same thing in Bull. 52 U. S. N. M.
But as my knowledge of genera is only ' ' an opinionated at-
tempt to discredit them" I can't be expected to follow such
fine points of modern scientific classification.
On page 114 there are seven genera with eleven species.
This comes pretty close to one apiece. Moutii'aga Reak. is
placed in the genus Pyrgus Hubner and syrichtus Fab. in the
genus Heliopetcs Billberg. Dr. Dyar says syrichtus falls in
Pleliopctcs on the presence of a hair pencil on the hind tibiae.
This is most extraordinary, as syrichtus and montivaga are one
species. Hylephila phylaus and Polites coras Cram, (pcckins
Kirby) certainly look lonely. It may be mentioned here that
thirty- five years ago Mr. Scudder erected many genera of the
Hesperidse without descriptions. They were only indicated
by specific types. There were about thirty in all. These have
been stumbling blocks and our Hesperid genera will be in a
chaotic condition until they are thoroughly studied. Dr. Dyar
has recognized practically all of them, and this has been the
cause of much confusion, as shown by his Revision. To one
knowing the species it can be said, without fear of contradic-
tion, that in the Pamphilinse the species in given genera are
more nearly related to species in other genera than they are to
each other. This would not be so bad if the genera would
hold irrespective of natural relationship. Catia has a single
species, otho, and Thymclicus twenty, and these twenty will
show greater variation in slight differences among themselves
than they do from the lonely segregated one. Those under
Erynnis show a sad mixture and would make five or six gen-
era of equal value to those used. For example compare Icon-
ardus and morrisonii ; juba and nictca. In (\-liIodcs compare
112 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
snowi and vents, nemornm and sassacus. Atrytonopsis hianna
and Lerodea loammi are so close specifically that they may be
topomorphs, yet they are placed in widely separated genera. A,
python Edws. should not be placed where it is. Compare fusca
and textor in the genus Stomylcs. The association of scudderi
and aaroni may go in an " up-to-date classification," but na-
ture would never recognize it.
Maculata and eufala would never agree to being associated in
Lerodes if they knew it. The same theory applies to arpa,
palatka, byssus, dion in relation to yehloxA pontiac. The species
under Prcncs are closely related. Padraona dara Kollar is the
same species as omaha Edw. Omaha is the type of Potanthus
Scudder (1872). Padraona Moore (1881). Dr. Dyar says
Megathymus cofaqni Strecker and M. streckeri Skinner are not
well separated. The specimens and the literature prove other-
wise. M. aryxna Dyar is a synonym of neumoegeni Edw. The
fig. 3, pi. 69, Biol. Cent. Amer. Het. is not neumoegeni, as stated
by Dr. Dyar.
Dr. Dyar assumes that I am not familiar with the genera of
the Hesperidae, because I have not used all or many of those
proposed. I have not used them because in many cases they
are unscientific, illogical and untenable. Dr. Dyar's Re-
vision proves the correctness of my position. I can't logically
be held responsible for not proposing better ones. When I
became interested in the family the species were in great con-
fusion in collections, and I never saw a collection where they
were all correctly named. I have named specimens for many
years from all over the country and the species is the unit of
classification, and a multiplicity of bad genera — a Tower of
Babel.
I WISH to report that out of 335 T, polypheums cocoons about 40 had
stems. One contained a parasite. — RICHARD KUSCHEL, Chicago,
Illinois.
MR. E. P. VAN DUZEE, of the Grosvenor Library, Buffalo, New York,
has gone to Jamaica for a few weeks' collecting trip. We may look for-
ward to an increase in our knowledge of the Hemipterous fauna of that
island.
April, '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
m
Cross-section of pericardia! region of l\/r/n>/<i/>//<\
femoratiis — d, dorsal diaphragm ; />, pericar-
dial cells ; /«, malpighian tube ; b, heart.
A Malpighian Tube Within the Heart.
BY WILLIAM A. RILEY, Cornell University.
We are accustomed to variety in the location of the urinary
organs of the Arthropoda, but one is a little surprised to find
a Malpighian tube within the heart. And yet such a condi-
tion sometimes occurs among the insects. So far as has been
found it occurs only in certain Orthoptera. The accompany-
ing illustration from a cross-section of the abdomen of an
Acriclid, the common Melanoblus femoratus, shows two cross-
sections of a Malpighian
tube within the cavity of
the heart. On tracing
these it is seen that they
do not represent two
tubes, but rather a sin-
gle one which is doubled
upon itself.
Aside from a brief
incidental mention by Kowalevsky, 1894,* this condition
seems to have escaped notice. In studying the heart of
Pachytilus this worker was surprised to find in the mid-
dle region of the abdomen, Malpighian tubes within the
cavity of the heart. Supposing, at first that it was a pa-
thological condition, he studied the same region of the heart
of Locusta viridissi/na and found exactly the same condition.
In this species, it was easy to recognize that the Malpighian
tube reached the heart by way of the cardio-coelomic aper-
ture, and that after a tortuous course it passed through the
cardio-pericardial aperture into the pericardial chamber.
Later, he found the same condition in the nymph of an unde-
termined Locustid.
As a result of his studies, Kowalevsky reached the con-
clusion that this condition was not pathological but perfectly
normal for the Acrididae and Locustidae. He sought to ex-
plain the strange phenomenon as a case of physiological attrac-
tion. In most animals, — Molluscs, Vertebrates, Crustaceans,
* Kowalevsky, A. 1894. Etudes sur le ccrur Hi- i|ii<-lcnirs Oitlmpteres. Comnumknti. m
preliminaire. Arch. Zool. exp. 3 ser. t. 2 pp., 485-490.
114 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
—the acid and alkali-eliminating organs (distinguished re-
spectively by their ability to take up carmine, or indigo-car-
mine) are united into one. Thus we have the urinary tubules
and the Malpighian corpuscles in the kidney of the Verte-
brates ; the urinary canals and the peripheral saccules in the
decapod Crustaceans ; the pericardial glands and the organs
of Bojanus in the L,amellibranchs. In the insects, however,
we have these organs, represented respectively by the pericar-
dial cells and the Malpighian tubes, entirety separate. Kowa-
levsky concludes that "there thus results a certain physio-
logical attraction between the organs, which leads to the pene-
tration of the Malpighian tubes into the region occupied by
the acid-eliminating part of the kidney, that is to say, into
the region of the pericardial cells."
I have studied a number of series of adults of MelcDioplus
femoratus and of both adults and nymphs of Melanoplus femnr-
rubrum but have observed the phenomenon in only the one
individual. In addition, I have examined series of Chorto-
phaga (nymph and adult), CEcanthus, Gryllus, and Blatta, but
have met with no further instance. The Orthoptera possess
from thirty to a hundred and fifty Malpighian tubes and yet
of all these Kowalevsky found but a single one within the
heart of any individual. If we have in the phenomenon a
perfectly normal case of physiological attraction, why does it
affect but a single tube, or how account for the fact that it has
never been observed in any other order of insects? The con-
dition is an interesting one, but the evidence certainly goes to
show that it is a purely accidental one. Whether it is merely
mechanical, brought about by the movements of the insect, or
whether it is an abnormal method of growth, is a question.
Notes on Caenocara Oculata Say.
BY C. O. HOUGHTON, Newark, Del.
In his "Revision of the Ptinidae of Boreal America, ' ' recently
published, Mr. H. C. Fall writes, in part, of the genus Ccoio-
cara as follows : "The species of this genus, or at least some of
them, are known to pass the larval state in puff balls (Lyco-
April, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 115
perdon*). The perfect insects are found for the most part on
oak foliage." On Sept. 26 last, Mr. H. S. Jackson, Asst.
Mycologist of the Delaware Station, brought me a specimen
of a species of Scleroderma which he had taken in an open
grove made up rather largely of oak trees. A slight cut which
had been made in the Scleroderma revealed the presence within
of numerous small, white coleopterous larvae in their cells. I
placed the specimen, which measured about one and one-half
inches in diameter, in a glass dish, which was covered with a
small pane of glass, and set it aside in my laboratory to await
developments. One larval cell, which was opened enough to
reveal the presence of a larva within, was examined occasion-
ally, and on October 5th an adult, nearly of normal color, was
found within it. This cell, when examined two or three days
previous, had contained a pupa, but the exact length of the
pupa stage was not determined. On October i2th, I found a
number of specimens in the dish, and by partially breaking
open the Scleroderma several more were secured, making
about 25 specimens in all. On October iSth, 44 more speci-
mens were secured, and a few days later a few others, enough
to bring the total to 72, were found. An examination of the
body of the Scleroderma showed that it had been pretty thor-
oughly worked over by the larvae.
When a number of the adults were inclosed together in a
small vial, a very evident stridulation was noticed at times
which reminded one somewhat of that made by Conotrachtht*
nenuphar under similar conditions, though weaker, of course.
It may be of interest to note, further, that a few specimens
of C. oculata have been taken in trap-lanterns at this place.
THE INFALLIBLE ERRS. — The March, 1906, number of The Journal of
the New York Entomological Society, edited by Dr. Harrison G. Dyar,
page 7, lines 23, 24, gives v^scupracens, instead of cii/v-asce>is> as a specific
name in Cicindela, and on page 51, line 23, Laca'pede for Lacepede.
Very little experience in proof-reading is required to teach the proof-
reader how easy it is to overlook typographical errors, and were it not
for certain remarks quoted in the NEWS for Dectiuht->\ /QOJ, page _, •/*•>.
we would not dream of calling attention to these slips in our esteeim >!
contemporary. It is a certain satisfaction, however, to meet with t \i
dence that its Editor is of not altogether different clay from the rest uf
the entomological fraternity. — ONE OF THK I'IIILADEI.PHIANS.
n6
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[April, '06
Notes on the True Neuroptera.
J. F. McCLENDON.
2. — On Venation in Neuroptera.
The wings of Neuroptera have been variously treated by
systematists, and a few species have been considered by Corn-
stock and Needham in their excellent series of articles in the
32d and 33d volumes of the American Naturalist. In 1901 I
commenced to collect material for a developmental and com-
parative study of the venation of the group, but on account of
pressure of other duties, failed to get many pupae, and had to
content myself with studying the tracheation of the fully
formed wings by bleaching them for days in chlorine water.
In distinguishing the veins, I have used the nomenclature of
Redtenbacher as applied by Comstock and Needham.
SIALINA.
The wings of Sialina are broad and seemingly irregularly
reticulated, but if we leave out of consideration the cross veins,
the venation can easily be reduced to the hypothetical type of
Comstock and Needham. The anal space of the hind wings
is thin and folded when at rest.
In Corydalis texana, Fig. i, the sub-costa and radius run
Fig. i. — Corydalis texana. Fore wing. In this as well as in the suc-
ceeding figures, the cross veins are omitted, save where they
are represented by spaced lines.
parallel nearly to the tip of the wing, where they fuse. The
radial sector has become pectinate by fusion of r4 and r\ as
shown by Comstock and Needham. J?2 has three side branches,
April, '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
117
one of which is divided into two. M* and m* are fused. Cul
has three side branches. The first, second, and third anal
veins each branch once.
In Sialis infumata, Fig. 2, the anterior wing is modified by
the fusion of cm
and m for some
distance, and asso-
ciated with this,
the radius assumes
a bowed form. A/1
and w2 are fused.
In the hind wing
the bases of the
median and cubitus
are fused. M* and
nr are fused. Hf*
and nt" are fused.
Fig. 2. — Sialis infumata.
RAPHIDIM.
In Raphidia oblita, Figs. 3 and 4, the sub-costa reaches the
margin of the wing
before the pteros-
tigma. In the an-
terior wing the
radius, media, and
cul are fused for a
short distance. In
the posterior wing
the bases of the
radius and media
are fused for some
distance and cu
fuses with the first
anal through the
middle third of its course.
Fig. 3. — Raphidia oblita. Fore wing.
Hind wing.
HEMEROBINA iMEGALOPTERA).
MYRMELEONID^.
In the Myrmeleonida" we have typical venation save that
many accessory veins have been added distally and the branch-
n8
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[April, '06
ing of the median has been almost or quite completely sup-
pressed.
In Ululodes hyalina, Fig. 5, the sub-costa and radius run
parallel to the pterostigma, where they unite. The radial
sector is branched dichotomously, though it is functionally
Fig. 5. — Ululodes (Ulula) hyalina. Fore wing.
pectinate, R* being united to Ri + 3 by a strong cross vein.
The media is unbranched. R-, r~j, Cit^ and the anal furnish
numerous veinlets by pectinate branching.
In Myrmeleon rustiats, Fig. 6, the number of accessory
Fig. 6. — Myrmeleon rustic us. Fore wing.
veins is very much increased, Cul having thirteen branches,
each of which subdivides once.
HEMEROBIM;.
In the Hemerobida the radial sector has become pectinate
by splitting of R* + 5 as shown by Comstock and Needham for
Hemerobins.
In the fore wing of Micro tuns posticus, Fig. 7, the radial
sector is suppressed
and the radius has
become pectinate.
Whether this has been
caused by fission \ or
coalescence, I have
not enough material Fig. 7.— Micromus frist'icus. Fore wing.
April, '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
119
to decide, but when we compare it with the hind wing, where
the radial sector is distinct, we see the magnitude of the
change. The cross-vein connecting rl with r* in the hind wing,
Fig. 8, suggests
that the change has
been brought about
by shifting of the
trachea from longi-
tudinal to cross
veins — many tra-
cheae are found mis-
placed in the pupa,
and this change might easily occur — the change would then be
coalescence and not fission, as can be easily understood by
studying the accompanying figures of the fore and hind wings.
The sub-costa and r1 run nearly parallel to the end of the wing.
In Polystoechotes punctatus, Fig. 9, R-, by pectinate brach-
Fig. 8. — Micro-inns posticus. Hind wing.
Fig. 9. — Polystoechotes punctatus. Fore wing.
ing, gives rise to fourteen veinlets, each of which subdivides
twice. Ctt} has seven such branches. The sub-costa and ;-'
fuse at the pterostigma and give rise to fifteen such veinlets.
MANTISPID;£.
In Mantispa interrupta, Figs. 10 and u, the sub-costa runs
through the middle
of the pterostigma
for the last third of
its course, and dis-
appears near i t s
end. The base of
Fig. \o.-i\Iantispa interrupta. Fore wing.
120
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[April, '06
Fig. ii. — Mantispa interrupta,
of hind wing.
Part
the media fuses with that
of the radius for some
distance ; and, in the an-
terior wing, Fig. 10, the
media dips down and then
fuses with the radius again
thus forming a small tri-
angular cell. After the
media is finally free it
divides into the typical
number of branches.
CHRYSOPIM;.
In the Chrysopidc? we find a great modification by coales-
cence.
In the anterior wing of Chrysopa plorabitnda , Fig. 12, the
veins in the middle
run zigzag and fuse
at their angles,
forming a reticular
structure without
the interposition of
true cross veins.
The so-called
' ' cross vein ' of
Fig. 12. — Chrysopa plorabunda. Fore wing.
Where veins have coalesced I have
represented them slightly separate
for clearness of interpretation.
the " third cubital
cell " (w3 + 4) behaves in a very peculiar manner : ;w3 + 4 runs
obliquely forward and coalesces for some distance with ;;/' + ?,
and then separates from it again.
The hind wing, Fig. 13, resembles Myrmeleon, save that rs
and m coalesce for some distance.
Fig 13. — Chrysopa plorabunda. Hind wing.
April, '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
121
PANORPINA (MECAPTERA.)
PANORPID^:.
The venation of the Panorpidcr is quite typical, save for the
fusion of veins near the base of the wing, due to narrowing of
this region, and the development of a few accessory veins.
In Panorpa confusa, Fig. 14, r* branches once.
...
Fig. 14. — Panorpa confusa. Wing.
In Bittacus strigosus, Fig. 15, m and CV coalesce for some
distance.
Fig. 15. — Bittacus strigosus. Wing.
An Interesting New Genus and Species of Encyrtidae.
BY L,. O. HOWARD.
The newspapers have given an account of how the State
Board of Horticulture of California sent an orange or lemon
tree to China in charge of Mr. George Compere, in order to
stock it with Chinese parasites of the red scale and then return
it to California. Mr. Compere has been good enough to send
me specimens of the parasites reared in China, one of which
proves to be a small variety of Aphclinus diasphidis mihi, and
the other is the remarkable form described below.
COMPERIELLA gen. nov.
Female : Body robust, abdomen slightly shorter than thorax;
head not oblong; antennae flattened, broad; tip of scape,
pedicel, funicle joints and club of equal width, pedicel tringu-
122 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
lar, funicle joints 6 in number, much shorter than broad,
compressed, cup-shaped ; club suboval, three- jointed, as long
as all 6 funicle joints together, slightly flattened at the tip,
first joint longest, third joint shortest Wings with an oblique
hairless line running from stigmal vein anally and distally ;
three hairless spaces beyond the middle of the wing, and two
broad diverging bands of cilia beginning about the middle of
the wing, the uppermost ending at wing apex and the other
half way from this point to the rounded anal angle. Marginal
vein very short ; stigmal short, obtuse, descending at neatly
right angles to the wing margin. Ovipositor scarcely ex-
truded.
Male: Unknown. Comes nearest to Habrolcpis. Name
derived from Compere (George).
Comperiella bifasciata sp. n.
Length: 1.1 mm.; expanse, 2.1 mm.; greatest width of forewing, .33
mm. General color black, with greenish-golden reflections on mesos-
cutum, and bluish metallic reflections on mesoscutellum. Head with a
central longitudinal occipital band which extends on pronotum, with a
yellowish longitudinal band either side. Antennae uniformly dark
brown, nearly black, somewhat lighter at tip of club. Front femora and
tibiae dusky, becoming light toward the tip of the tibiae ; first 4 tarsal
joints very light yellow, apical joint dusky. Hind femora and tibiae dark
brown, nearly black ; tarsal joints white, except apical joint, which is
black. Wings hyaline, except for a dusky patch below stigma, and 2
divergent fascia of a brownish color corresponding almost exactly with
the bands of cilia mentioned in the generic description ; a small darker
brown spot at marginal vein.
Described from one female specimen bred from Aspidiotus
{Aonidiella) aurantii Maskell, by Mr. George Compere.
Habitat : China. Type to be deposited in the U. S. Na-
tional Museum.
THE OHIO UNIVERSITY LAKE LABORATORY, at Cedar Point, will be
open from June 251)1 to August 3d. The course in entomology will in-
clude collecting, mounting, and identifying insects in connection with
studies in life history and anatomy. Excellent opportunities for life his-
tory studies are offered both on aquUic and terrestri.il forms. Prof.
Osborn, State University, Columbus, Ohio, will be in charge.
ENT. NEWS, Vol. XVII.
PI. IV.
7
J.M.Aldrich del.
THE DIPTEROUS GENUS CALOTARSA.
April, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 123
The Dipterous Genus Calotarsa, with one new Species.
BY J. M. ALDRICH.
(Plate IV)
The discovery of a new species of this charming little group
makes it worth while to give a brief review of the genus.
Townsend. in 1894 (Canadian Entomologist, XXVI, 50-52,
figs.), described the genus and its typical species, Calotarsa
ornatipes, from a single male specimen collected at Cham-
paign, 111. He referred the genus to the family Syrphidae,
in which he acknowledged that it would occupy a very anoma-
lous position. The error of overlooking the family Platype-
zidae was corrected by Banks in the next number of the jour-
nal (p. 88); he expressed the opinion that Calotarsa was a
synonym of Platypeza, and reported another male specimen in
his collection, taken at Ithaca, N. Y. In the following num-
ber of the journal, Townsend admitted the relationship of the
genus to the Platypezidae, but contended that it was not
synonymous with Platypeza (p. 102). Williston in the same
number (p. 116) mentioned the genus as probably synony-
mous with Platypeza.
L/ate in 1894, W. A. Snow published in the Kansas Univer-
sity Quarterly (III, 143-152, r pi.), a revision of the North
American Platj'pezidae, with several new species ; a supple-
ment to the paper was added in the same publication in Jan-
uary, 1895 (III, 205-207). He did not accept Calotarsa,
referring ornatipes to Platypeza ; he described another species
with greatly ornamented hind feet, under the name of Platy-
peza calceata. Of this he had seventy-five males and one
female, collected in Hop Canyon, Magdalena Mts., N. M., on
August 19-21, 1894. He also reported another specimen of
ornatipes, sent him by me, and collected by me on a window
at Brookings, S. D. No other species with ornamented hind
tarsi have been known up to the present, nor have any other
specimens of the two described species come to light, as far as
I know.
In my catalogue of North American Diptera, I recognized
Calotarsa as a distinct genus, mentioning that I did .so on Mr.
Kahl's recommendation.
124 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
The question whether it is really synonymous with Platypeza
I am unable to settle at present, not having access to material
in typical Platypeza. Snow declared that a somewhat larger
size and the ornamentation of the hind tarsi of the male were
the only characters to separate the two genera, and he thought
them insufficient. The typical Platypezas figured by Snow
show in the male the hind tarsus but little modified — less than
in the female — nothing at all of the surprising structures
shown in his figures of ornatipes and calceata, which I repro-
duce on my plate. The question of synonymy I leave in
abeyance, rather hoping that further examination of abundant
material may show characters applicable to both sexes ; at
least we have subgeneric characters in the feet of the male.
The two species previously known and the one herein de-
scribed will be readily separated by the * characters of the hind
tarsi of the males, as shown in the plate. I will only add in
this connection that otherwise the three species are exceed-
ingly close together, insignis being more uniformly yellow on
the abdomen than the other two. The female of ornatipes is
as yet unknown, while of the other two insignis has a wholly
pure yellow abdomen, differing slightly from calceata. The
three species form a very compact group, whether of generic
or subgeneric rank.
In regard to the habits of the adults and the function of the
tarsal ornaments, little has been observed. In ornatipes, only
three specimens are known, one of which was collected on a
window — obviously an accidental occurrence. Of insignis, the
type male was collected hovering in the air in half-shady open
woods, about four feet above the ground ; the females were
all collected in rather open woods, hovering in the air, most of
them over a wet spot in a shady road, which no doubt attracted
them, as the weather at the time was intensely dry. It was
about four in the afternoon, and no males were flying at the
time. Snow noted a few interesting points about the habits
of calceata. The flies were "dodging and soaring in the air
* Secondary sexual characters are very constant in Diptera, whatever may be the case
in other animals. I remember healing" Dr. John B. Smith say that he found the same
i-iiiistancy in Lepidoptera. I have lony believed that Darwin over-estimated the varia-
bility of these characters in general.
April, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 125
in assemblages of, say, a dozen individuals. None were
caught outside an area of about an acre." " In flight these
insects allow their hind feet to hang heavily downward, and
look as if they were carrying a burden." His single female
was one of a pair that were copulating on the wing.
These enlarged feet naturally suggest those of Dolichopus, a
genus of flies somewhat distant from this, in which the males
parade their tarsal ornaments assiduously before the females.
When the front tarsi are ornamented, the insect stands on the
ground to display them, but a case is known in which the
middle tarsi are the beautiful ones, and the male of this species
hovers over the sitting female so that the tarsi hang before
her. In Calotarsa it is not unlikely that both sexes are on the
wing while these exhibitions occur, hence it may be very diffi-
cult to make close observations of them.
Before passing to the general description of the new species,
I will describe the hind tarsi of the male, as they are ex-
tremely interesting and remarkable.
All the first four joints are compressed, and on the inner
surface have a fine brush of close appressed yellow bifurcated
hairs, which is best developed on the second and third seg-
ments. These joints are all provided with a vertical groove
at the distal end, enclosing the proximal part of the succeed-
ing joint ; hence the second and third appendages appear in
side view as if they arose' between two segments. The outer
side of the first and second joints has numerous stiff hairs,
which end in very slight knobs.
The first joint has on the upper side near the base a slender,
long process, ending in an oval disk ; its basal part is some-
what thickened, and has a few of the blunt hairs before men-
tioned.
The second joint has a similar organ arising in a correspond-
ing position ; in this case the process is smaller, and at the
base is compressed and transparent.
The third joint has attached to its upper surface, from the
base nearly to the apex, a very thin membrane-like expansion,
which is of a bright silvery color, and bears a peculiar jet-
black, pattern. It has somewhat the appearance of a flag, and
126 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
suggested the specific name (insignis, distinguished by a
mark).
The fourth has a large, comparatively thick expasion up-
ward and outward, which is black in color, and is set off from
the body of the joint by a white or somewhat silvery crescent.
The fifth joint is not at all compressed, and has in fact a
perfectly normal structure, rather depressed.
The figure shows the ' ' flag ' ' lapped over a little on the en-
larged fourth joint.
Calotarsa insignis n. sp.
Male. — Length, 6.5 mm. Head and thorax black, cinereous; probos-
cis, legs and abdomen yellow. Eyes contiguous for a considerable dis-
tance on the front, ocellar tubercle prominent, with a few small brown
hairs ; face black, cinereous, concave and receding below ; antennae
yellow, short, the third joint, except its base, infuscated, the three joints
of successively increasing length ; arista apical bare, slender ; proboscis
retracted, short, yellow, palpi very small, yellow ; occiput black, rather
flat, almost bare. Thorax black, cinereous, especially on the sides ; four
faint brown lines on the dorsum, the two inner ones close together, ab-
breviated behind, the two outer ones abbreviated In front ; on the side
of the dorsum, before the transverse suture, are three small bristles ; be-
fore the scutellum, at each side, are three or four very small ones ; on
the margin of the scutellum are five pairs of larger ones, with a consider-
able median interval ; the scutellum yellowish, except on the disk ;
humeri a little yellowish ; halteres yellow, the large, crumpled knob a
little infuscated ; squamae yellow, with delicate yellow cilia ; metanotum
black. Abdomen yellow, all the incisures, except the first, narrowly
blackish (the first slightly blackish at the sides) ; hypopygiurn exserted,
rounded, rolled up under the fifth segment; on the hypopygiurn and
along the sides of the abdomen are fine, erect hairs, longer, more bushy,
and yellow anteriorly ; behind they are brown. Fore and middle legs,
including coxae and tarsi yellow, the femora moderately infuscated
above, and with a stripe of black hairs on the front ; the tibiae gradually
and moderately infuscated from near the base ; hind tarsi as figured and
above described. Wings subhyaline, slightly infuscated toward the
apex ; the space between auxiliary and first longitudinal cells yellow ;
third vein ending exactly in the apex ; fourth vein forked, the posterior
branch ending half way between point of furcation and the margin ; hind
cross-vein hardly more than half its length from the margin.
Female. — Length, 4.8 mm. Front rather wide, narrowing slightly
below, opaque dark brown in color, near the antennae cinereous, with a
median depression ; proboscis and palpi larger, antennae smaller than
the male. The brown lines of the thorax are more distinct. The pos-
April, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 1 27
terior part of the thorax, with only two bristles on each side ; scutellum
with three pairs of bristles. Abdomen yellow, scarcely infuscated at all.
Legs wholly yellow, except the tarsi, which are somewhat infuscated
toward the end ; they are compressed and enlarged as shown in figure.
Venation as figured ; the posterior branch of the fourth vein comes nearer
the margin than in the male, but does not reach it.
Material examined : The type is a male, captured October
21, 1905, in the foothills about six miles west of Stanford
University. There is another male (cotype) in the collection
of the entomological department of Stanford University, col-
lected in the vicinity October 7, 1900. Nine females, all
collected by myself in the same vicinity as the first-mentioned
male, on October 21 and 28, 1905. Two of these cotype
females will be deposited in the collection of the entomological
department of Stanford University. The type and the other
females will remain for the present in my own collection.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE IV.
1. Hind tarsus of Calotarsa calceata, male, enlarged (after Snow).
2. Hind tarsus of C. ornatipes, male, enlarged (after Snow).
3. Hind tarsus of C. insignis n. sp. , male, outer side x 20.
4. Head of C. insignis, male, front view, x 20.
5. Hind tarsus of C. insignis, female, outer side, x 25.
6. Antenna of C. insignis, male, inner side, x 40.
7. Wing of C. insignis, female, x 15.
Some new or little known Aleyrodidae from
Connecticut. — IL*
BY W. E. BRITTON.
Aleyrodesforbesii Ashmead.
(aceris Forbes. Name preoccupied).
A. aceris Forbes. i4th Report Insects of Illinois, p. no, 1884.
A. aceris Forbes. Packard, 5th Report, U. S. Entomological
Commission, p. 422, 1890.
A. forbesii Ashmead, Bull. 45, U. S. National Museum, p. 274,
A. forbesii Ashm. Quaintance, Technical Bull. S, Bureau of En-
tomology, p. 27, 1900.
A. forbesii Ashm. Merrill, P?yche, Vol. X, p. 82, 1903.
A. forbesii Ashm. Bemis, Proc. U. S. National Museum, Vol.
XXVII, p. 503, 1904.
* For the first paper on this subject, see ENT. Xi:\vs, Vol. XVI. p. 65, March, 1905.
128 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
This is a large species, the pupa measuring about 1.5x1
mm., and from oval to oblong in shape. It is considerably
raised above the surface of the leaf, and the pupa case soon
falls away, leaving only a portion of the marginal rim of wax.
Varying from light yellowish green with purplish markings,
to purple or chocolate with green or whitish spots or blotches
near the margin. Dorsum flat, without spines or wax rods.
I have never seen the adult of this species, but it is described
as white or yellowish, with immaculate wings. L,arvae and
pupae are not abundant, and usually one or two are found
upon a leaf.
Collected by the writer September 20, 1904, September 8,
1905, at Westville, Ct.; September 15, 1905, New Canaan,
Ct. ; on red and silver maple. At New Canaan it seemed to
be most abundant on a cut-leaved variety of the silver
maple.
Aleyrodes packardi Morrill.
A. packardi Morrill, Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XXXV, p. 25,
1903 ; Psyche, Vol. X, p. 83, 1903 ; Technical Bull., No. i,
Mass. Agr. Expt. Station, August, 1903.
For several years this species has been confused with A.
vaporariorum Westwood, and in literature, many references
to the latter doubtless refer to A. packardi. For a more com-
plete bibliography the reader is referred to Canadian Ento-
mologist, Vol. XXXV, p. 35, and Technical Bull. No. i,
Mass. Agr. Expt. Station, p. 61.
Pupa about . Sox. 48 mm., broadly oval. Dorsal surface
nearly flat. Two series of marginal wax rods ; the outer ra-
diating, somewhat curved, the length about equal to one-half
the breadth of the pupa ; the inner series are nearly twice as
long, and are curved upward and inward over the body.
Rather abundant on the leaves of cultivated strawberries at
West Hartford, June 30, 1905.
Aleyrodes mori Quaintance.
A. mori Quaintance, Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XXXI, p. i.
A. mori Quaintance, Technical Bull. 8, Division of Entomology, p.
29, 1900.
A, mori Quaintance, Bemis, Proc. U. S. National Museum, Vol.
XXVII, p. 507, 1904.
April, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 1 29
Pupa about .70 x .55 mm., elliptical, body black with broad
marginal fringe of white wax. A striking species. Adult
with clouded wings.
On leaves of box elder, New Haven, July 22 ; Fraxinus
americana, Carpinus carol iniana and Celtis occidentalis, New
Haven, September 20, 1904; Celtis occidentalis and catalpa,
New Haven, September 8, 1905.
I have never seen this as abundant as figured by Quaint-
ance (Can. Ent. Vol. XXXI, pi. i), but usually not more
than three or four specimens occur on a leaf.
Morrill described a subspecies macidata Psyche Vol. X, p.
81, 1903), which differed from mori in the adult stage by
having a bright )'-ellow body. I have not reared or obtained
adults, but Professor Quaintance has examined some of the
pupa cases, and pronounces the species mori.
Aleyrodes fernaldi Morri 1 1 .
A.fernaldi Morrill. Psyche, Vol. X, p. 83, 1903.
A medium-sized oval species, pupa case about .78 x .50 mm. ,
with no wax rods. Dorsal surface flat, color pale greenish
white. Adult, body pale yellow, wings immaculate.
Occurring on the under surface of leaves of spiraeas Van
Houtei and Anthony Waterer in a nursery near New Haven,
September 8, 1905,
Aleyrodes vaporarionun West wood.
A. vafiorariorum \Vestwood, Gardeners' Chronicle, p. 852, 1856.
A. vaporariorum Westw. Signoret, Ann. de le Soc. Ent. de
France, p. 387, 1867.
A. vaporarionun Westw. Britton, Bull. 140, Conn. Agr. Kxpt.
Station, 1902. Report Conn. Agr. Expt. Station, p. 148, 1902.
A. vaporariorum Westw. Gary, Bull. 96, Maine Agr. Expt. Sta-
tion, 1903.
A. vaporariorum Morrill, Technical Bull. No. i, Mass. Agr. Fxpt.
Station, 1903. Circular No. 57, Bureau of Entomology, U. S.
Dept. Agr., 1905.
For more complete bibliography, see Report of Conn. Agr.
Expt. Station, p. 159, 1902, and Technical Bull. No. i, Mass.
Agr. Expt. Station, p. 52, 1903.
This species is probably the most common of all dcscril id
130 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
aleyrodids occurrring in Connecticut. In greenhouses and
dwellings it lives through the winter on various kinds of
plants. Remedial measures are absolutely necessary to save
the infested plants, and of these fumigation with hydrocyanic
acid gas is perhaps the most successful. House plants can be
dipped into a soap and water mixture (i Ib. to 8 gals.) with
good results.
Larvae and pupae are oval, light green or yellow in color,
and abound on the under sides of the leaves. Pupa about
.70 x .50 mm., with submarginal row of wax rods. Six pairs
of long curved wax rods are borne on the dorsum, which is
somewhat convex.
Body of adult is yellow, wings white and immaculate.
A. vaporariorum has been collected and observed upon over
sixty different food plants in Connecticut, but it is especially
abundant on tomato, melon, cucumber, tobacco, Ageratum,
Lantana, Fuchsia and heliotrope.
Formaldehyde as an Insecticide.
BY M. V. SLINGERLAND.
Cornell University recentlj^ purchased quite a large quantity
of "Solidified Formaldehyde," subject to a written contract
that " this material is guaranteed to kill bedbugs, moths and
roaches, used with 4 ounces to 1,000 cubic feet and exposure
to fumes of gas 8 hours, closed room." This was a good op-
portunity to test the insecticidal value of formaldehyde, and I
made the following experiment :
Five live bedbugs were placed (one in each) in small paste-
board pill boxes, which were covered with one thickness of a
muslin with meshes about one millimeter square. Ten live
cockroaches were placed in each of three glass, pint, fruit-
jars, covered with one thickness of a thin muslin with meshes
nearly one-half millimeter square. These insects were placed
in different parts of a room, some on the floor, others near the
ceiling, and some about midway of the room, on top of some
furniture. The room contained 1,760 cubic feet, but was
April, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 13!
nearly one-third full of furniture, so that there was not over
i ,600 cubic feet of air-space to be fumigated. The room was
made as tight as practicable and eight ounces of the Solidified
Formaldehyde were used, strictly according to directions, in a
generator specially designed for using it. The fumigation was
begun at nine o'clock A. M., January 3Oth, 1906, and the room
was not opened until the next morning, thus continuing the
fumigation for twenty-four hours. As the formaldehyde costs
about 35 cents an ounce, it was an expensive operation for a
single, medium-sized room.
Upon opening the room, the formaldehyde fumes were suffi-
ciently strong to make one's eyes and nostrils smart, and it
was several minutes before 1 could go into the room comfort-
ably to get the insects.
Although more than the designated amount of Solidified
Formaldehyde was used and the fumigation was continued
longer than specified, yet it resulted in not killing a single
bedbug or cockroach.
Dr. L. O. Howard writes me that "The Public Health and
Marine-Hospital Service report formaldehyde as not possess-
ing insecticidal properties against mosquitoes." Also, that
Mr. Titus, one of his assistants, knows of an instance where
a large number of Lepidopterous pupae in soil were in a small
room where formaldehyde gas was generated ( strength of the
gas unknown), and from none of these pupae were adults
afterwards bred, while from other pupae from the same ma-
terial, not in this room, the moths came out in usual numbers.
The inference is reasonably plain that the gas killed the
pupae, but the evidence is not conclusive, as it was not an ex-
periment but simply an accident.
In 1901, C. L,. Marlatt, of the Bureau of Entomology, re-
ported (Bull. 30, New Series, p. 39) some experiments to test
the insecticidal value of formaldehyde gas. Some earlier
trials had resulted in indicating little value in the gas for kill-
ing insects. Then a test was made against the Angoumois
grain moth and the bean weevil in stored seeds. The gas was
generated to 3 or 4 times the amount necessary for germicide
purposes. Only a few of the moths (some that were flying
132 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
about) were killed, but the weevils were not injured in the
least.
In 1897 (Rept. Ottawa Expt. Farms for 1897, p. 106).
Duchess apple trees were sprayed in Canada with formalin at
the strengths of 1,2, and 4 ounces to 5 gallons water. No
injury or benefit resulted to the foliage or fruit, except a slight
indication of some deterrent influence against the codling-
moth ; plant-lice were not killed.
In 1900, C. P. Lounsbury, Government Entomologist of
Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, reported (his Report for
1899, p. 17) the following important experiment in fumi-
gating railway carriages for bedbugs. The experiment was
made under supervision of a professional chemist. ' The
bedbugs were not destroyed even when left exposed for two
full days in a carriage, treated with all the gas contained in
800 c.c. (about 12 ounces of formaldehyde, or not quite as
strong as I used it) of the water solution of formalin. The
gas was forced into the carriage under heavy pressure, and
the bedbugs were enclosed in a piece of mosquito netting sus-
pended near the middle of the space. The carriage was of
about 2,500 cubic feet capacity, and all its cracks, crevices
and air-holes were tightly stopped with cotton wool. House-
flies and aphids shut in the carriage were found dead, but
larvae and adult scale insects of several species, and plant-
bugs of three species were found to have survived. Formal-
dehyde gas of far greater but indefinite strength, generated
from formalin tablets, was also inefficacious in destroying im-
prisoned bedbugs."
Finally, there has just come to hand the report of another
experiment by Prof. Dr. K. Lampert with formaldehyde
against insects in Germany (Zeitschrift fur Wissenschaftliche
Insektenbiologie, Vol. XI, January 31, 1906, p. 12). In a
room containing about 70 cubic meters (2,400 cu. ft.) 1,100
c.c. of 40 per cent, formalin (== about 17 ounces of formalde-
hyde, or stronger than I used it in my experiment) was gen-
erated for 4 hours. A number of cockroaches (/>'. oricnfalis
and germ anica~} , 2 spiders, several larvae of the larder beetle
(D. lardarius') , some sow-bugs, 3 larvae of saw-flies, meal-
April, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 133
worms, and earthworms were placed in the room in glasses
covered with open netting ; one earthworm was buried in soil.
All of the Arthropods survived without any injury the effects
of the fumes in which a man would probably die in a short
time, and in which dogs and birds perish. Two earthworms
exposed to the fumes without soil had dried out and were
dead, while the one in the soil remained fresh and lively.
" This astonishing resistance to the fumes," says L/ampert,
"could possibly be explained by the tracheal respiration as
the animals close the breathing-holes and the air collected in
the tracheae would be sufficient for the little breathing neces-
sary. That the chitiuous armor is of little importance in
resisting the fumes, is proven by the ability to resist of the
thin-skinned saw-fly larvae.''
I have found in a hasty review of the literature no other
records of experiments with formaldehyde as an insecticide.
The evidence submitted seems to be overwhelming that for-
maldehyde has little or no insecticidal qualities, when used in
practicable quantities, and especially against household insects.
Dragonflies (Odonata) Collected by Dr. D. A. Atkin-
son in Newfoundland, with Notes on some
Species of Somatochlora.
BY E. B. WILLIAMSON.
(Plates V and VI.)
The only list of Newfoundland dragonflies known to me is
the paper in Ent. Month. Mag. XI, pp. 241-243, April, 1875,
by De Selys, based on collections made by John Milne. De
Selys records the following species : Lcucorhinia Jntdsonica,
Selys i <? , Cordnlia shurtlcffi Scudder, i 9 , Epitheca dug/data
Selys, 2 $ and 3 9 , Epitheca ford pat a Scudder, i 9 . Aeschna
hudsonica n. sp. i $ and 4 9 (also from Canada), Aeschna
clepsydra Say (?) 2 9, Gomphns (?) $p. i $ , and .-loial/a^nia
borcale n. sp. i $ and i 9 -
In Ent. News, May, 1902, pp. 144-146, I recorded the species
taken by Dr. Atkinson at the Magdalen Islands. This list
was remarkable for its cosmopolitan character. Only 6 species
134 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
were taken in the almost barren Magdalens, and 3 of these
are not represented in the Newfoundland collection : Agrion
resolution, Enallagma hageni and Acshna jnncea, all widely
distributed species which more extensive collecting would
probably show as belonging to the Newfoundland fauna. In
fact, Aeshna hudsonica Selys mentioned above is probably only
a variety at the most, of juncea. Dr. Atkinson collected in
Newfoundland only two days, July 7 and July 21, 1901, and at
two localities, Bay of Islands, and Grand Lake, yet his collection
contains 14 or possibly 15 species, and, in its richness of
Aeshnas and Somatochloras, it is, for its size, the most inter-
esting I have ever studied. The study of these Somatoch-
loras from time to time has delayed the recording of Dr. At-
kinson's captures till this late date.
Enallagma ebrium. Hagen. Eight males from Grand Lake,
July 21, 1901.
Enallagma calverti, Morse. Five males from Bay of Islands,
July 7, 1901. No Enallagmas in the collection agree with the
color pattern of Enallagma boreale Selys, based on a single
specimen of each sex taken in Newfoundland. But the
description of the abdominal appendages of the male of boreale
applies almost certainly to the species later described by Morse
as calverti. In so far as it will probably be possible for some
of our European friends to determine this matter certainly by
a study of the type of boreale, I have here recorded the species,
in conformity with recent usage, as calverti.
Enallagma cyathigerum, Charp. Six males from Bay of
Islands, July 7, 1901. Four female Enallagmas in the collec-
tion I have not attempted to determine specifically.
Aeshna clepsydra Say. Bay of Islands, July 7, 1901. 3 $
and i 9 ; Grand Lake, July 21, 1901, i $ and 2?. To this
species for the present are also referred i $ , Grand Lake,
July 21, 1901, and i 9 , Bay of Islands, July 7, 1901. These
two specimens were referred to Dr. Calvert, who wrote, under
date of January 27, 1904, "The $ Aeshna from Grand Lake,
Newfoundland, is like a 1 from Chicoutimi, Quebec, in the
broken stripes on sides of thorax,* in denticulated carina of
*' Two other cf c? from Chicoutimi have the stripes of thorax apparently not broken.'
April, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 135
superior appendages, and in size and color of pterostigma, but
differs in shape of tip of superior appendages, viewed from
above, the Chicoutimi $ having, the tip shaped like fig. 7,
Ent. News, 1894, p. 11. The original (from Lake St. Regis,
N. Y.), of my fig. 5 (1. c.), also has the broken stripes on the
sides of the thorax, but has the pterostigma of front wing
t
measuring only 3 mm. on its costal edge ; length of front
wing, 45 mm. A female from Lake St. Regis has stripes on
sides of thorax very nearly identical with those of this 9 from
Bay of Islands, Newfoundland. It is rather small — abdomen
(exclusive of appendages) 45 mm., hind wing, 43 mm.;
pterostigma smaller, the costal edge of pterostigma of front
wing, 3.75 mm. You will see, therefore, that your Grand
Lake $ is very nearly identical with the Lake St. Regis £ ,
which, in 1893, I called clepsydra. Whether the breaking up
of the stripes on sides of thorax entitles the holder to a dis-
tinct specific or varietal name I will not now decide."
The appendages of this Newfoundland $ are in bad condi-
tion. The color pattern of thorax of both $ and 9 are very
different from any other specimens of the large series of clep-
sydra I have seen from Newfoundland, Ohio, Michigan and
Indiana. In these two the thoracic pattern is more suggestive
of juncea though, of course, the lateral stripes are not broken
in juncea. Aeshna hudsonica, as Dr. Calvert writes me, seems
to be hardly distinct iromjiincea, even as a variety.
Aeshna sitchensis Hagen. Bay of Islands, July 7, 1901, i $
and i 9 . Determination confirmed by Dr. Calvert.
Aeshna septentrional is Burm. Grand Lake, July 21, 1901,
1 9 . Determination confirmed by Dr. Calvert.
Cordulia shurtleffi Scudder. Bay of Islands, July 7, 1901,
2 $ and i 9 .
Somatochlora cingulata Selys. Bay of Islands, July 7, 1901,
i $ ; Grand Lake, July 21, 1901, i 9.
Somatochlora albicinda Burm. Bay of Islands, July 7, 1901,
$ i and i 9 .
Somatochlora hudsonica Selys. Grand Lake, July 21, 1901,
i $ ; Bay of Islands, July 7, 1901, 2 9 .
Somatochlora forcipata Scudder. Grand Lake, July 21,
1901, i $ .
136 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
Leucorhinia hndsonica Selys. Bay of Islands, July 7, 1901,
4 $ and 4 9 .
Sympetrum costiferum Hagen. A single 9 , badly damaged,
from Bay of Islands, July 7, 1901, apparently belongs to this
species.
Libellula quadrimaculata L,. Bay of Islands, July 7, 1901,
i 9 .
Notes on some species of Somatochlora. Somatochlora semidr-
cularis, septentrionalis, artica and fordpata are a group of
closely related species with long slender abdomens and rela-
tively short wings. The difficulty in determining Dr. Atkin-
son's single $ of this group led to a study of these four species.
Of fordpata I have seen but two specimens, the headless speci-
men, collected by Dr. Atkinson, and a male in the Harvey col-
lection, S. Lagrauge, June 28, 1898, F. L. Harvey, collector.
The abdominal appendages of the Maine specimen seen in
profile, are much more strongly arched than in the Newfound-
land specimen. I have obtained from Mr. R. C. Osburn the
specimen mentioned by him as/ordpata, in ENT. NEWS, June,
1905, p. 191,* from Port Renfew, British Columbia. I refer
this specimen to semidrcularis. I am able to separate semidr-
cularis and fordpata only by the abdominal appendages of the
male. The Newfoundland fordpata is more slender than the
Maine semidrcularis (a difference pointed out by De Selys for
the two species), but the M.aineforcipata is about as robust as the
two specimens of semidrcularis which I have seen from that State
—the one figured and a second from Orono, Maine, July 16,
1891, F. L,. Harvey, collector, referred to in ENT. NEWS,
May, 1892, p. 116, as fordpata. On the basis of this Orono
specimen, semidrcularis can be added to the New England
fauna. Scudder's description of fordpata fits the two speci-
mens which I have referred to this species in the form of the
appendages and in the presence on abdominal segment 5 and
the two or three following segments of a distinct basal, lateral
small yellow spot. These spots are wanting in the single male
of septentrionalis I have seen and in semidrcularis from Maine
* In the same paper by Mr. Osburn, p. 192, lu- idfiitilifs two inijn rfecl ? of Svmpcti utn
as ubtrifiiDii. After a study uf buili spui-imcns I hclirxc they belong nilhrr to /<<?////•
April, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 137
and Colorado. But semicircularis from British Columbia have
the abdomen either uniformly colored or spotted. Of semicir-
cularis I have studied : Maine, 2 $ ; mountains of Southwest-
ern Colorado, ri $ and 4 9 loaned me by Dr. Calvert ; Lang-
ford Lake, British Columbia, 2 $ , R. C. Osburn, collector;
Glacier, British Columbia, 4 $ , R. C. Osburn, collector ;
Port Renfrew, British Columbia, i £ , R. C. Osburn, collector.
Characters of 13 males of this material were tabulated. The
abdomen varies from 34-39 mm. in length, averaging between
38 and 39 for all the material excepting the Colorado speci-
mens, which are 34. Forcipata measures 37 and 38. In length
of hind wing all specimens of semicircularis are very uniform,
varying from 29-32, the majority being 31, which is the exact
measurement for this part in both forcipata. The color of
the costa will not separate the two species. Postcubitals in
the front wings vary from 5 (in a single wing) to 8 (in 2
wings). The usual number is 6 or 7 in both species. The
yellow spots on frons in front are variable in size, regardless
of locality. The lateral thoracic stripes are variable in extent
(at least in dried material), and will not serve to separate
species or localities. Forcipata (both specimens) and semicir-
cularis from Maine have the anterior femora brown beneath ;
all the other specimens of semicircularis, so far as I could de-
termine, have the anterior femora black beneath. One semi-
circularis from Maine has the upper lip with two clear brown
spots. All other specimens of both species have this lip black.
Nasus in forcipata (one specimen) and scmicircu/aris from
Maine is dull brown ; in all western specimens of semicircula-
ris and in septentrionalis, the nasus is metallic, like the ffons,
and the semicircularis from Colorado have the labrum almost
or quite metallic. So, as stated, I can find no characters
other than those of the appendages for separating f ore i pa la
and semicircularis. These characters, both of superior and
inferior appendages, seem good so far as specimens before me
go, but it is possible that more extensive material might ren-
der these inadequate for the separation of the two species as at
present understood.
Septentriona/i.^ apart from its basal wing markings, is sepa-
138 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
rated from the others by its appendages and the relatively
short hind wings (abdomen 36 mm.; h. w. 26 mm.).
Somatochlora krcdsonica, alpestris, albidnda and probably dn-
gulata * form a group of closely related species with relatively
robust abdomens and long wings. Hndsonica finds its closest
ally in the European alpestris from which it is separated,
among other characters, by the great development of the basal
spine of the superior appendages. In alpestris the basal spine
and the spine following it are about equal in size, and the
profile view gives an accurate idea of the full size of these
spines. In its wing markings knd.s&nica is like septentrionalis.
Albidnda is very distinct from the two preceding species ;
and dngulata is at once distinguished from them all by its larger
size and the broadly forked inferior appendages. The $ of
hudsonica from which the figure of the vulvar lamina was
drawn has the abdomen very flattened and the vulvar lamina
much pinched together, so the figure is probably somewhat
deceptive. The second 9 collected by Dr. Atkinson has the
last abdominal segments wanting. The vulvar laminae repre-
sented in figs. 20 and 21 are normal in shape, the abdomens
not being distorted.
EXPLANATION OF PLATES V AND VI.
All specimens figured are in collection of E. B. Williamson.
Fig. i. Appendages in profile of Somatochlora septentrionalis <j\
Orono, Maine, June 18, 1898, Bartle Harvey, collector. This
specimen has the left superior appendage wanting and the
wings are in bad condition.
Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5 ; Somatochlora semicircularis. Figs. 2, 3, abdominal
appendages and 4, genital lobe of rj\ Manchester, Maine, July
7, 1898, Miss M. Wadsworth, coll. Fig. 5, superior append-
ages of cT, Langford Lake, British Columbia, July so, 1902,
R. C. Osburn, coll.
Figs. 6, 7, and 8. Somatochlora arctica. Figs. 6 and 7 abdominal ap-
pendages and fig. 8, genital lobe of tf\ Leuzerheide, July, 1904,
K. J. Morton, collector.
Figs. 9, 10, and n. Somatochlora forcipata. Figs. 9 and n, abdominal
appendages, and fig. 10, genital lobe of cf, Grand Lake, New-
foundland, July 21, 1901, D. A. Atkinson, collector.
Figs. 12 and 13, Somatochlora alpestris abdominal appendages of <j\
Leuzeiheide, July, 1904. K. J. Morton, collector.
* Fi-ankliiii is known to me only from the description of the J .
ENT. NEWS, Vol. XVII.
PI. V.
NEWFOUNDLAND ODONATA, WILLIAMSON.
ENT. NEWS, Vol. XVII.
PI. VI.
NEWFOUNDLAND ODONATA, WILLIAMSON.
April, '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL .NEWS.
139
Figs. 14, 15, 16, and 17. Somatochlora kttds&tirica. Figs. 14, 15 and 16,
abdominal appendages of cT, Grand Lake, Newfoundland. July
21, 1901, D. A. Atkinson, collector. Fig. 17, vulvar lamina of
9, Bay of Islands, Newfoundland, July 7, 1901, D. A. Atkinson,
collector. This female has the abdomen laterally crushed.
Figs. 18, 19, and 20 Somaiochlora albicincta. Figs. iSaiid 19, abdominal
appendages of rf , Kukak Bay, Alaska, June, 1899, T. Kincaid,
collector. Fig. 20, vulvar lamina of £, Kadiak, Alaska, July 4,
1899, M. Cole, collector.
Vulvar lamina of Somaiochlora semicircularis 9, mountains
of Southwestern Colorado, 1 1,000-12,000 feet.
Fig.
21.
An Emergency Case in Insect Architecture.
• BY S. ARTHUR JOHNSON.
Last fall I discovered a Vespa nest attached to the north end
of the entomology building. Attracted by its curious form, I
secured it and was surprised to find that it represented an in-
sect tragedy. From the location of the nest and its form, it
is evidently one made by Vespa diabolica, though no insects
were found in it to confirm this statement.
The nest had been be-
gun in the usual way and
reached the stage where
two layers of paper
formed a sphere about a
comb containing a num-
ber of cells. At this
time, the cord of suspen-
sion gave way, dropping
the comb to the bottom
of the nest, where, being
unable to pass through
the aperture on account
of its size, it hung sus-
pended in an inclined
position. The wasp then
built on the lower half of the original sphere, a very much
elongated structure, composed of about three very irregular
layers. The exterior was unusually rough, and so insecure! y
attached that it broke away with very little handling of the nest.
Apparently this attempt to repair damages was not sucev-s-
ful, for the work never advanced beyond this crude stage.
One of the larvae, at least, reached the pupa stage, for its ca-
coon was found in the comb.
The incident is interesting as illustrating what an insect will
do when brought face to face with a new condition.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items
of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given
in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at out
earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep-
tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num-
ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or
important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five "extras," without change in form,
will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along
with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — ED.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., APRIL, 1906.
The recognition of the value of economic Entomology
among the people is shown by the fact that two important
bills for the suppression of insects are not unlikely to become
laws. One is a bill to appropriate seventy thousand dollars a
year for five years to suppress mosquitoes in New Jersey*, and
the other is a bill presented in the National House of Repre-
sentatives to appropriate two hundred and fifty thousand dol-
lars to check the ravages of the Gypsy Moth. There can be
no question of the value of properly directed scientific work
against these pests, and we believe a large return could be had
from the expenditure of the money, providing no human para-
sites work their way in. The very moment money enters into
scientific work there will be some one with an eye on the main
chance. Entomologists should religiously frown down all
such attempts and endeavor to put the study on the highest
plane and thus demonstrate its value to all.
A CORRECTION. — The larval stages described by Mr. J. G. Grundel
in March, '05 NEWS as Lemonias vigulti are those of L. uionno, a closely
allied species. Probably the preparatory stages of vigulti are similar,
and what will apply to one will apply superficially to the other. — C. R.
COOLIDGE, Palo Alto, Cal.
* This bill has become a law.
140
April, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 14!
Doings of Societies.
Minutes of meetings of Brooklyn Entomological Society,
held at the residence of Mr. George Franck, 1040 DeKalb
Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.
November 5, 1905. — Thirteen persons present, the President
in the chair.
Mr. George P. Engelhardt was elected librarian, vice Mr.
Ernest Shoemaker resigned.
Mr. Eranck exhibited a specimen of Argynnis idalia, from
Newark, N. J., showing an extreme case of suffusion. The
upper side of the primaries was heavily clouded, while that of
the secondaries was almost entirely wanting in maculation.
The under side of the wings was similarly affected, the sec-
ondaries having only a single row of silver near the inner
margin and a few near the base. Mr. Franck also exhibited
a £ Hyperchiria io, the wings of which largely partook of the
coloration of those of the 9 .
Mr. Schaeffer presented a number of specimens of coleop-
tera comprising species not only new to our fauna but to
science, which he had taken during the recent summer in the
Huachuca Mountains, Arizona. Among those shown were
Amblychila barojii, Cicindela obsolcta var. santadarae, Pasinni-
clnis liridans, Clems, n. sp., Romalenin, n. s/>., Onn'dcrcs,
n. sp., Cassida me.ricana, Estola, n. sp., Agrilus, n. sp., and a
number of species of Scarabtridae. C. santadarae occurred in
company with swarms of grasshoppers, which, being similar
in color (green'), rendered distinction difficult.
Mr. Schaeffer gave some further details relative to his
method of preservation of specimens and mode of living. A
tent was made for shelter which at times barely sufficed to
protect the collections and apparatus from rain.
December 7, 1905. — Seventeen persons present, the President
in the chair.
Mr. Franck announced that a sufficient number of subscrip-
tions had been obtained to ensure the publication of tin-
Glossary of Entomological Terms prepared by Prof. John B.
Smith.
Mr. George P. Engelhardt gave a description of his manipu-
142 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '06
lation of and experiences with a hive of bees located in the
Children's Museum of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and
Sciences. The hive was placed at a window facing east and
connected with the outer air by a covered passage and was
specially constructed for observation, having inner sides of
glass through which the operations of the inmates were visible.
Exterior doors of wood screened the interior glass sides from
light when not subject to inspection. Although in the midst
of a city the bees had no difficulty in collecting materials for
honey, comb, etc., apparently obtaining sufficient for their
purposes from the vegetation in streets and yards and the
nearby park. ARCHIBALD C. WEEKS, Secretary.
DR. DYAR'S Editorial in the March, 1906, Jour. N. Y. Ent. Soc. is a
work of art. He says I attempt a misrepresentation of his Review of the
Hesperidae. I did nothing of the kind ; I only stated facts which any
entomologist can verify from the literature. Dr. Dyar says " We pre-
sume he is right in both cases." Why does he say "presume " and then
proceed to try and correct his errors ? He does not come out and say
his genus Anatrytone is a synonym, but says Atrytone may be given an-
other name. I quote again, "the mistakes can be easily corrected by
transferring manataaqua to Thymelicus and proposing a new name for
Atrytone.''' Had Dr. Dyar really known anything; about the genera he
would never have suggested anything of the kind, as manataaqua is the
type of Scudder's genus Limochroes. Dr. Dyar uses this genus and
places nine species under it, including the type manataaqua. Aegrescit
medendo. — HENRY SKINNER.
Lady Bug gave a party,
It was a grand affair ;
The finest Beetle dandies
And the nattiest Gnats were there.
The Glow Worm glowed his brightest
And the Hornet played his horn,
The Butterflv brought butter
And the Miller Moth brought corn.
The Caterpillar sat and purred,
The Horsefly galloped high,
The Ants came with their uncles
And the Spiders came with pie.
The June Bug in his buggy came,
Dragged by the Dragon Fly,
The Centipede gave his last cent
To see the pair go by.
It was a splendid party,
But when the last was done,
The Hop-toad sat outside the door
And swallowed every one.
THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE WEST COAST
BY w. G. WRIGHT, OF CALIFORNIA.
Who for twenty years has been gathering material for this work. The hook is s \ 10
inches in size of page, contains 260 pages of text, and 32 plates in the best of color-
photography, containing nearly a thousand figures, photographed directly from the
insects themselves and reproduced in all their natural colors, and includes eitlu.r in
the description or plates, or both, every species knuxvii on the West Coast.
A HANDBOOK FOR STUDENTS AND A
REFERENCE BOOK FOR LIBRARIES.
The species, from Parnassius to Megalhymus, 485 names, are all figured, numbered,
and described consecutively. Usually three figures are given of each species the
male, the female and the underside — but of sc .me variable < >r d isputed forms additional
figures are added, and of common species only one figure is given. Similar forms are
placed on the plates as near together as possible to facilitate comparison.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF MANY WEST COAST
BUTTERFLIES NEVER BEFORE FIGURED
Sent by registered post prepaid to ary country on receipt of price, $4.35, by
the author. The colored plates with all the figures named, but no text, are for
sale, singly, or in sets.
W. G. WRIGHT, 445 F. ST., SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
ILLUSTRATIONS OF
DIURNAL LEPIDOPTERA
WITH DESCRIPTIONS
BY ANDREW GRAY WEEKS, JR., 190$
117 pages and 45 colored plates, by J. Henry Blake, ad. nat.,
and B. Meisel, lithographer, descriptive of 81 species hitherto
undescribed or figured, mostly from Bolivia, with steel plate
frontispiece of Samuel Hubbard Scudder.
The plates cover all species described and represent the limit
of perfection in lithographic art, being considered equal to, or
superior to, any previous productions. $15.00 postage paid.
H. PECK, AGENT, 8 CONGRESS STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
RARE ARIZONA INSECTS FOR SALE
Orders taken for Aniblychila baroni, Plusiotis beyeri, P. lecoiitei, O
querciis, Byrsopolis /anigera. Neophasia tcrlooti, and other rare butterflies
and moth-. Fine fresh specimens of P/usiotis gforiosa, Ji.oo. Pupa- of
Crinodes biedennatii, 52 5° each. Imagos after July, $5.00. Apply to
C. K. BIEDEKMA.N, Pahm-rlee, Cocliixe County, Arizona.
WEST INDIAN INSECTS.
LEPIDOPTERA, COLEOPTERA AND HYMENOPTERA A SPECIALTY
Mr. C. H. A nns trout;, late Curator Natural History So, iel\ , Toioiito.
Canada, is ii<>\\ on ing trip in tin- \\Ysi Indies, > xp
reside tlu-re permanently, solicits for insei I - in all ord
catch, or in families, or otluT\\ i
Address C. H. Armstrong, Georgetown, Demerara, W. I.
When Writing I'leane Mention " Kiitiuiiologu-Hl N«-\VN."
THE KNY-SCHEERER CO.
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ENTOMOLOGICAL SUPPLIES AND SPECIMENS
North American and exotic insects of all orders in perfect condition.
Single specimens and collections illustrating mimicry, protective coloration,
dimorphism, collections of representatives of the different orders of insects, etc.
Series of specimens illustrating insect life, color variation, etc.
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We manufacture all kinds of insect boxes and cases (Schmitt insect boxes,
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MAY, 1906.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
Vol. XVII.
No. 5.
Limnophila aspidoptera Coquillett.
EDITOR :
HENRY SKINNER, M. D.
PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D., Associate Editor.
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PHILIP LAURENT.
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ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SHCTION
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. XVII.
MAY, 1906.
No. 5.
CONTENTS:
Williamson and Calvert — Copulation of
Odonata 143
Skinner — A ne\\ Ichneumonid i.v
Nason — Parasitic Hymenoptera from Al-
gonquin, Illinois— IV. 151
Hart — Notes of a winter trip in Texas,
with an annotated list of the Or-
thoptera 154
Fall — On the genus Trachykele, with
notes and descriptions of other
North American Buprestida- 160
McClendon — Notes on the True Neurop-
tera 169
Banks — On the Perl id genus Chloro-
perla 17)
Rowley — Notes on Papilio ajax 175
Kunze — Stemmed ( < ici " ins ' <\ I < lr;i poly-
phemus 177
Editorial iso
Notes and News i s i
Doings of Societies 182
Copulation of Odonata.
I. — BY E. B. WILLIAMSON.
In ENT. NEWS, February, 1899, page 42, I questioned, for
the first time, the accepted statement that in pairing the male
dragonfly grasps the female by the prothorax. No observa-
tions by others, so far as I know, have confirmed or corrected
this observation which pointed out that, in some of the Ani-
soptera at least, the female was grasped by the head. Ob-
servations made during the season of 1905 permit the record-
ing of some details in the method of ' ' coupling ' in the
suborder Zygoptera. The procedure, for the sake of clear-
ness, may be classified and subclassified as follows :
A. — The two jaws of the pincers by which the male grasps the female,
formed by (i), the superior appendages, and (2), the inferior
appendage. In couple the inferior appendage rests on top of
the head, and the superior appendages on the rear of the
head of the female. SUBORDER ANISOPTEKA. Positive ob-
servations in the case of Ce/iffieinis, Syinpclriun, (Libellu-
linae), Gomphus (Gomphinae), and Aeslina ( Aeshniiuc).
'43
144 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
A A. — The two jaws of the pincers by which the male grasps the female,
formed by the two superior appendages, acting forceps-like,
or by the inferior appendages, acting in a similar manner.
In the case of certain species, judging from the form of the
appendages, superior appendages and inferior appendages
each act as a pair of forceps, so the female is doubly secured.
Also it must be noted that the two superiors acting together
may form one jaw of a pair of pincers, the other jaw of which
is formed by the two inferiors. In couple the superior append-
ages of the male rest behind, and the inferior appendages in
front, of the hind margin of the pronotum of the female. SUB-
ORDER ZYOOPTERA.
B. — Superior appendages of the male forming two jaws, in couple
grasping the most anterior portion of the mesepisternum and
the mesostigmal laminae of the female.
C. — Inferior appendages of the male in couple extended over the dor-
sum of the pronotum of the female, scarcely or not touching it,
and with their apices resting against the rear of the head. When
the abdomen of the male was disturbed the inferior append-
ages in some cases did not touch the head of the female, in
other cases the tips of these appendages were extended to the
top of the female's head. Undisturbed they rested against the
rear of the occiput, performing no work of grasping whatever.
All female Zygoptera observed when in couple keep the pro-
thorax drawn tightly against the mesothorax. Lestes. Posi-
tive observations in the case of L.forcipatus and L. unguiiii-
latus.
CC. — Inferior appendages of the male resting on the anterior side of
the hind lobe of the prothorax of the female. Het&rina.
BB. — Inferior appendages forming two jaws which grasp the anterior
surface of the hind lobe of the pronotum of the female, the
superior appendages resting in cups formed by depressions in
the mesostigmal laminae and the rear surface of the hind lobe
of the pronotum and, depending on their form, grasping the
mesostigmal laminae or rtbt. The female by drawing the hind
lobe of the pronotum closely against the mesostigmal lamiiur
prevents the escape of the male.
D. — Dorsum of apex of segment 10 of male modified to form a brace
against the middorsal carina or its fork or the cavity in the
fork. Anoinalagrion, Ischnura, Enallagina.
DD. — Dorsum of apex of segment 10 of male with a viscid pruinose
tubercle on either side which attaches itself to the mesepister-
num of the female on either side of the fork of the middorsal
carina, the tubercle which corresponds to the inferior append-
age of Anisoptera engaging the cavity in the fork between the
mesostigmal lamina:. Argia (putrida and apica/is).
May,'o6] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 145
In Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. Vol. XXVIII, p. 175, I have
discussed pruinescence as a sex mark and signal. The pruin-
escence of the apical abdominal tubercles of male Argias
serves another purpose, i. e. , that of making more secure the
coupling of the sexes. Females separated from the males
usually have a whitish spot on the mesepisternum where the
tubercles of the male have rested. The above description in
coupling in group BB shows at once the reason of the inability
of the male to release the female at will. How secure this
coupling is may be known from the fact that I once captured
a female Enallagma exsulans to whose thorax was attached
the last nine abdominal segments of the male. Possibly a bird
or fish had snapped away the remainder of the body of the
male.
The above notes are tentative in so far as I have positively ex-
amined coupling in a limited number of species. To what ex-
tent the superior appendages of the male grasp the mesostigmal
laminae of the female in Agrioninae is difficult of determination.
In local species I believe it is very slight, though the append-
ages, of course, rest securely against the laminae, so held by
the pronotum. In many species of Enallagma and Ischnura
the presence of hooks or teeth on the inferior surface of the
superior appendages indicates that these appendages engage
closely the rear surface of the hind lobe of the pronotum
where they would be held securely by the opposite pressure
of the inferior appendages on the anterior surface of the hind
lobe of the pronotum.
Though the subject of Odonate copulation has been con-
sidered by many authors with ' presque toujours une descrip-
tion detailee et souvent poetique,' I have been unable to find
any statement concerning the filling of the seminal vesicle of the
male dragonfly, other than that this takes place before copula-
tion. In the case of Calopteryx , Argia and Enallagma, where
I have been able to make positive observations, the male fills
the seminal vesicle at once after he has captured the female.
It seems probable that during the wild flight of mating Aeshnas
and some of the Gomphiues (I have noticed especially /V<w,>-
gomphns spoliatus) the seminal vesicle is being filled, and, this
146 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
accomplished, the pair come to rest in tree-top, on the ground,
or where not, and copulation takes place." -Williamson,
Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci., 1901, p. 125.
In the final act of copulation still other harmonious relation-
ships of parts are necessary. The abdomen of the female
must be curved forward and upward and its apex brought
into proper position to the accessory genitalia of the second
abdominal segment of the male. Often this is accomplished
only after repeated trials, and sometimes there is failure to
copulate. Any deformity in the grasping apparatus of
the male which would tend to hold the female out of
proper position, though admitting of securely retaining her,
or any malformation of the female's thorax or head, hav-
ing the same effect, might prevent copulation. Abdominal
length or brevity of abdomen of either sex might also prevent
it. Crooked abdomens or the absence of free articulation of
abdominal segments might have a prohibitive effect. And, if
the apex of the female abdomen is brought into position with
the accessory genitalia of the male, it yet remains, before co-
pulation can take place, that these parts should be mutually
adapted to each other. So, to sum up, the Odonata, in the
securing of the female, the filling of the seminal vesicle and
the final act present an example of copulation possibly unique
in the complexity of its accomplishment. This complexity
explains at once the isolation which certain species enjoy
though associated with numerous congeners of similar habits.
That such species with their complex sexual adaptations ap-
peared by mutation is almost inconceivable. Geographical
isolation and gradual modification offer a more plausible ex-
planation.
Various factors contribute to the preservation of related
species when brought in contact with each other in a restricted
area. The factor above discussed, /'. <?., complexity of the
sexual act, is almost inoperative probably in the genus Libcl-
lula for example. Here there is considerable uniformity in
size and great uniformity in the structure of all parts con-
cerned in copulation. But the males fight for the females in
the open, over the water or above the reeds ; and it is possible
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 147
for a novice in entomology to readily identify our Libellulas
with a key based on wing markings. Again in many of the
Calopteryginae there is great uniformity in the parts concerned
in copulation but great diversity of wing markings. The
genera Rhinocypha and Calopteryx may serve as examples, and
in both it has been shown that the sexes are attracted to each
other by movements and displays of color. On the other
hand, the species of Sympetrum, which are, with a few excep-
tions, very uniformly colored and without wing markings,
have some diversity in the form of the abdominal appendages
of the male and great diversity in the accessory genitalia of
the male and the vulvar lamina of the female. These differ-
ences reach a maximum of development in the swift-flying
Somatochloras which are, with one or two exception, without
wing markings and with bodies uniformly colored, but which
show a remarkable diversity in the abdominal appendages of
the male and the vulvar lamina of the female. In the Agrion-
ines and Lestes, species generally with colorless wings and weak
flight, there is great diversity in the structure of the male ap-
pendages and the female thorax. Upon these parts to a great
extent all authors have based the most satisfactory definitions
of species. That there is a fundamental difference in the
factors which contribute to or determine the preservation of
species, and that among certain species this factor is
the complexity of the sexual act, and among others it
is the possession of obvious external characters, deter-
mined possibly by sexual selection, is suggested by a com-
parison of Dr. Calvert's treatment of the genus An;i<!
(Agrioninse) in the Biologia Centrali-Anu'ricana, and DeSely's
treatment of Rhinocypha (Calopteryginae) in the Synopsis dcs
Caloptcrygincs and its Additions. In the Agrionine genus
Enallagma there is considerable uniformity in the size of speck-s.
The species of the genus Lestes vary more in this particular.
It is in the Agrionines possibly that the most diverse forms
of abdominal appendages are found, though the Gomphines
(almost uniformly colorless-winged species) have these- parts
developed in extremely different manners. The Aeschnines,
most of which have colorless wings, have considerable dive i
148 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
sity in these parts, and many species have the body colors
very brilliantly and diversely developed.
In the genus Gomphus as it occurs about my home at Bluff-
ton, Indiana, it may be noted that all species are colorless-
winged ; certain ones are of about the same size ; these certain
ones occur at the same season, at the same place, have appar-
ently identical habits and are very similar in body markings.
Under these conditions the complexity of the copulatory act
is probably the only barrier to the free intermingling of these
species. I have already in the ENT. NEWS described a hybrid
of graslinellus and sordidus ; and during the season of 1905 a
number of specimens were taken which, in the opinion of Dr.
Calvert and myself, are specifically indeterminable, combin-
ing characters of both crassus and fra tern us, two closely related
species in which the abdominal appendages of the males are
very similar. Both species were flying at the ripple where the
indeterminable specimens were taken. Dr. Kellicott once re-
marked that he could not understand how, among the Enallag-
mas at Cedar Point, Ohio, the males could recognize their own
species of the opposite sex, and he studied many specimens
carefully but without discovering any evidence of hybridiza-
tion so far as I know. The coupling of different species has
been reported a number of times but I know of no record of
copulation. However, near Bluffton, Enallagma civile and
carunculatum , two species with very similar appendages are
brought in contact in numbers about a 6-acre pond. I have
studied probably 500 males from this pond, and have found a
few specimens (20-30 possibly) which were clearly inter-
mediate.
II. BY- PHILIP P. CALVERT.
(With Plate VII)
Mr. Williamson has asked me to add any notes or sugges-
tions which occur to me on the subject of his paper.
I can confirm his observations in the cases of Aeshna con-
stricta and Sympetrum viciniim. The former is illustrated by
Plate VII, based on a photograph from specimens in my collec-
tion labeled, "Taken in this position (of copulation) Oct. i,
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 149
1893. Ridley Twp., Del. Co., Pa. P. P. Calvert, collector."
I cannot find any notes made on this pair, but their history,
as far as I can recall it from memory, is as follows : In the
afternoon of the day mentioned, I saw a pair flying to-
gether in the position represented by Plate VIT and alight-
ing-on the branch of a tree close to the ground. Approach-
ing cautiously, I was able to seize one with my right
hand, the other with my left at the same instant, without pull-
ing them apart, or without the insects themselves separating.
The capture occurred near the house and some one of the
family poured a few drops of benzine on the insects, while I
held them in position, until this substance killed them. Each
was pinned to the same piece of cork which serves as a com-
mon mounting block, while a stouter pin thrust through
the cork enables the pair to be moved about as one specimen.
Some years later, Dermestids got access to them and made
large cavities in the eyes of both, but, fortunately, did not
injure the specimens seriously otherwise, before the depreda-
tions were discovered. Dr. Skinner then kindly made a pho-
tograph of the pair lest other injury be done, and the prints
have been in my possession for some years. Excepting
the damage referred to, the specimens themselves are in good
condition. In only one detail does the copulatory position
seem to have been lost : the appendages of the male are no
longer in actual contact with the head (due probably to some
contraction of the abdominal muscles and to shrinkage from
drying of the tissues), although they retain the angular di-
vergence which corresponds with Mr. Williamson's descrip-
tion. The shadows, which appear around the head of the
female in the photograph, obscure the details to such an ex-
tent that I have shown these in outline on the plate, on the
same scale, by a drawing made directly from the insects.
Perhaps a photograph made of living Odonata while pairing
may reveal some differences from what is here shown on Plate
VII, and some entomologist may be fortunate enough to secure
such a view. That it is often not difficult to approach these in-
sects at this time, and at short range, is shown also by the fact
that on August 29, 1895, at Interlaken, Switzerland, I caught a
150 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
similar pair of Aeshna cyanea in my fingers, although I was
not able to preserve their positions.
Finally, I can confirm Mr. Williamson's observations in the
case of Sympetrum vicinum, at Philadelphia, November 6, 1900,
and at Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, September, 1902. In
September, 1905, at Loch Bonnie, near Lake Placid, in the
Adirondacks, New York, I attempted to make exact observa-
tions on the method of holding the female in Lestes forcipatus
Ramb., but all that I could determine was that the terminal
appendages of the male grasped the female's prothorax, the
superior appendages on its posterior, the inferior appendages
on its anterior, surface.
A New Ichneumonid.
BY HENRY SKINNER.
Metopius liarbecki n. sp. — The following markings are yellow : Margin
of facial shield, apical half of scutellum, a dot on postscutellum, the first
abdominal segment, a small triangular palch on apex of the third dorsal
abdominal segment, the apical margin of the fourth dorsal, third coxas at
apex and outer half of sides, third trochanters and small spot at apex of
third femora.
The nearest ally to this. distinct species is pollinctorius Say.
Described from one specimen taken by Mr. H. S. Harbeck at
Germantown, Philadelphia, on September 25, 1904. The
type is in the collection of the American . Entomological
Society.
— — ' «•> • —
DR. SAMUEL G. DIXON, President of the Academy of Natural Sciences
and Health Commissioner of Pennsylvania, has directed Mr. Henry L.
Viereck to make a mosquito survey of the State.
LAST SUMMER, while collecting in a swamp, a skipper, Paiiiphila meta-
coinet, alighted on my hand, turned its abdomen upward and the tip for-
ward and discharged a small drop of colorless fluid on my hand. This
it eagerly sucked up through its proboscis, repeating the operation not
less than half a dozen times. I then placed the cyanide bottle over it. As
soon as its struggles had ceased, I took it from the bottle, pressed the
abdomen, and obtained a drop of the fluid. It was tasteless, possibly
slightly sweet. This may be a common habit, but I have never happened
to observe it before. — E. B. WILLIAMSON, Bluffton, Indiana.
May, '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
Parasitic Hymenoptera of Algonquin, Illinois. — IV.V
BY WM. A. NASON, M. D.
1 ( 'iiiitinucd from |iat;c 172, \'ol. xvi, Xo. 6 )
CHALCIDID^.
Lcucospis a
June 13, 21. Aug. 12, 1895.
June 4, 1896.
10 specimens, $ 9-
Stnicra torvina Cress.
Oct. 8, 1893.
Aug. 31, 1894.
May 29. July 25, 1895.
6 specimens, 9 .
Si ni era delumbis Cress.
Sept. 21, 1894.
July 3, 1895.
2 specimens, cJ1 9-
Si i li era rufofeuwrata Cress.
i specimen, $.
Sinicra flavopicta Cress.
Sept. 21, 1894.
1 specimen, 9 •
Phaegonoptwra sulcata Westw.
2 specimens, 9 •
Chalcis ovata Say.
July 16, Aug. i, 1895.
6 specimens, $ 9 •
Chalcis flavipe* Fabr.
3 specimens, 9-
Haltichella xauticles Walker.
Sept. 6, 1895.
i specimen, 9 .
Perilampus cyaneus Brulle.
July, 8, 1894.
July 3, 24, 25, Sept. 17, Oct. 5,
1895-
10 specimens, 9 •
platygaster Say.
Aug. 21, 30, 1894.
July 25, 1895.
3 specimens, 9-
Perilampus fulvicorn is A sh m .
Sept. 4, 1894.
1 specimen, 9 •
Perilampus hyalinus Say.
Sept. 21, 1894.
June 13, 14, July 29, Aug. 16,
Sept. 17, 1895.
8 specimens, $ 9 •
Lamprostylus nasonii Ashm.
June 4, 1895.
2 specimens, 9 •
Co-types, types in Ashm. coll.
Eiirytoina auriceps Walsh.
Sept. 27, Oct. 16, 18, 22, 27,
1895-
5 specimens, cf , 9-
Riirytoiiia bicolor Walsh.
Sept. 15, 1895.
1 specimen, 9-
Eiirytoina diastrophi Walsh.
Sept. 10, 15, Oct. 3, 1895.
4 specimens, (^, 9 •
Eurytoma prunicola Walsh.
Sept. 21, 1894.
June n, 1895.
2 specimens, <j" , 9 •
Eurytoma tyloderinatus Ashm.
Aug. 23, 1894.
i specimen, 9 •
Bruchophagus funebris Howard.
Aug. 24, 1895.
1 specimen,
Deca/oiiiti Hitin/is/igtna \\"alsh.
July 19, 23, 1895.
2 specimens, 9 •
Isosoitia horde i Harris.
July 3, 1895.
i specimen, 9-
* Determinations were made bj Dr. Win. II. Ashm. ;,,|, ,,t \\.i--liiii-ton, D. C.
152
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[May, '06
Monodontomerus montivagus Ash.
June 9, 10, 1894.
7 specimens, 9-
Syntomaspis brodei Ash.
Sept. 8, 1894.
i specimen.
Syntomaspis elegans Prov.
i specimen, $.
Torymus omnivorus Ashm.
May 4, 1895.
1 specimen, <$.
Torymus diamonoides Ashm.
June 7, 13, 1895.
2 specimens, 9.
Co-types, types in Ashm. coll.
Ormyrus querci Fitch .
Oct. 2, 1905.
2 specimens, $, 9-
Ormyrus ventricosus Ashm.
May 4, July 3, 1895.
2 specimens, £ .
Eupelmus allynii French.
July 18, 26, 27, Oct. 27, 1895.
4 specimens.
Bothriothorax peculiaris Howard.
Aug. 8, 1895.
1 specimen, 9-
Spalangia aenea Say.
April 25, May 7, 1895.
2 specimens, 9 •
Spalangia rugosicollis Ashm.
July 9, 1894.
i specimen, 9-
Spalangia drosophilce Ashm.
Aug. 26, 1894.
1 specimen, 9 •
Hatticoptera try petes Ashm.
May 9, 1894.
April 30, May 3, 1895.
3 specimens, <3\ 9-
Co-types, types in Ashm. coll.
Trigonoderus maculatus Ashm.
Sept. 19, 1895.
2 specimens, 9-
Co-types, types in Ashm. coll.
Caratomus megacephalus Dalm
June 29, 1894.
June 2, 8, 1895.
May 12 to June 29, 1896.
29 specimens, $, 9-
Merismus texanus Ashm.
Sept. 17, 1895.
i specimen, 9-
Syntomopus affinis Ashm.
Sept. 15, 1895.
1 specimen, 9-
Syntomopus americanus Ashm.
June 17, 27, 1895.
2 specimens, 9 •
Pachyneuron allograptae Ashm.
Sept. 22, 1895.
i specimen, 9-
Pachyneuron uiicans Howard.
Aug. 22, 1894.
i specimen, 9 .
Pachyneuron siphonophorcz Ash.
i specimen, 9-
Merisus destructor Say.
July 28, 1894.
i specimen, <$.
Bceotomus rufiviventris Ashm.
Oct. 2, 1895.
1 specimen, 9-
Habrocytus thyridopheryg is Ashm.
May 22, Sept. 22, 27, Oct 3,
1895-
6 specimens, 9-
Hypoptcroinalus tabacum Fitch.
July 10, Sept. 27, 1895.
2 specimens, 9-
Epipteromalus algonquinns Ashm.
June 27, July 3, 6,Sept. 27, 1895.
4 specimens, 9 •
Co-types, types in Ashmead coll.
Pleromalus comma Ashm.
July 3, 1895.
i specimen, $.
Pteroiualns g rapt if Ashm.
May 15, 25, July 4, Aug. 18,
Oct. '17, 1894.
May, '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
May 10, Sept. i to 22, Oct. 2
to 29, 1895.
67 specimens, <f\ 9-
Pteromahis incongruus Ashm.
Oct. 3. 27, 1895.
2 specimens, 9 •
Co-types, types in Ashm. coll.
Pteromalus puparum Linn.
May 7, 9, 16, 1895.
14 specimens, 9-
Pteromalus vancsscs Harris
Sept. 4, 1894.
July 3 to 25, Sept. 22, 27, 1895.
7 specimens, 9 .
Meroporus calandra: Howard.
June 9, 30, July 3 to 15, Aug.
23, 1894.
Sept. 5. 17, 1895.
ii specimens, $, 9-
Neocatolaccus tylodermcz Ashm.
Aug. 20, 1894.
June 19, 28, Aug. 16, 1895.
5 specimens, 9-
Catolaccus nigroaepeiis Ashm.
July 10, 1895.
i specimen, 9 .
Catolaccus incertus Ashm.
. Oct. 27, 1895.
1 specimen, 9 .
Catolaccus anthoinyicz Ashm.
June 7, Oct. 16, 1895.
2 specimens, 9-
Arthrolytus clisiocainptc Fitch.
June 4, Aug. 7, 1894, Sept. 27,
Oct. 2, 1895.
4 specimens, 9 •
Ccelopisthus suborbicularis Prov.
April 21, July 3, Sept. 17, 19,
1895-
4 specimens, $.
I:.nplectrus catocalcs Howard
June 20, 1895.
1 specimen, 9-
Miotropis clisiocamfxz Ashm.
Aug. 2, 31, 1894.
2 specimens, 9-
Cirrospilu s fla i 'i cine (us R i 1 e y .
June 2, Sept. 22, 27, Oct. 2,
4 specimens, 9-
Cirrospilus flavimaculatiis Ashm.
Sept. 27, 1895.
2 specimens, 9 •
Melittobia pelopaei Ashm.
May 28, June 2, July 18, \\\^.
15, Sept. 15, 17, 1895.
7 specimens, ^ .
Syinfiiesis tischericc Vrch.
Sept. 27, Oct. 16, 1895.
2 specimens, 9.
,S'i >ii pie sis dolichogaster Ashm.
Sept. 20, 27, 1895.
3 specimens, 9-
Sy)itpiesis quercidcc Ashm.
Oct. 16, 1895.
i specimen, 9.
Sympiesis chcnopodii Ashm.
Oct. 2, 1895.
1 specimen, 9 •
Uriella rufipes Ash.
June 26, July 3 to 28, Aug. 11,
22, 1894.
May 4, 9, 48, June 15, July 8,
Aug. 34, Sept. 17, 1895.
Co-types, types in Asmnead coll.
Metapachia acutiventris Ashm.
May 22, Sept. 19, 1895.
2 specimens, 9 •
Co-types, type in Ashmead coll.
Nasonia brevicornis Ashm.
May n, June 12, July 3, 1895.
3 specimens, 9 •
Co-types, type in Ashmead coll.
I-'ufodou htliocolletidis Ashm.
Aug. i, 1895.
i specimen, <$.
Ase codes quercicola Ashm.
July 10, 1895.
i specimen, ^f.
Omphalc livida Ashm.
Sept. 15, is95-
i specimen, 9-
154
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[May, '06
Chrysocharis albitarsis Ashm.
Aug. i, Oct. 2, 6, 1895.
4 specimens, £ , $ .
Solenotus bimaculatus Ashm.
Sept. 27, 1895.
i specimen, 9 •
Co-types, types in Ashmead coll.
Solenotus pulchripes Ashm.
Sept. 27, Oct. 2, 3, 1895.
Co-types, type in Ashmead coll.
Tetrastichus racemaria; Ashm.
July 7, 1894.
i specimen, 9 •
Tetrastichus sp. ?
Sept. 27, Oct. 27, 1895.
4 specimens, $.
Tetrastichus sp. ?
Oct. 2, 1895.
2 specimens, 9 .
Closterocerus niger Ashm.
June 25, 1894.
i specimen, $.
Co-type, type in Ashmead coll.
Rileya cecidomyicc Ashm.
Aug. 16, 1865.
i specimen, 9 .
EVANIID^E.
Hyptia reticulata Say.
Gasteruption inccrtus Cress.
Notes of a Winter Trip in Texas, with an Annotated
List of the _Qrthoptera.
BY CHARLES A. HART, Urbana, 111.
In late December and early January I had the pleasure of
briefly studying the insect-life of four unlike Texan localities.
For valued assistance in this undertaking, I wish to express
my thanks to my relative, Prof. E. C. Green, and to Prof. A.
F. Conradi, both of the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical
College ; to the Houston and Texas Central Railroad ; and
to Mr. A. P. Atwater, of Houston.
The first six days, December 22-27, were spent in the
vicinity of the College, in Brazos County, 150 miles inland
from the Gulf. The soil is clayey or sandy upland, partly
covered with a scrubby forest, mostly post oak, and intersected
by shallow grassy ravines. On December 28th and 2gth I
was in the broad bottom lands of the Brazos River, in the
same county, areas of heavy forest, alternating with large
fields of cotton, alfalfa, etc. January 3d and 4th saw me at
work along the low open grassy outer shore of Galveston
Island, near the west end of the great sea wall ; and the 5th
and 6th, in the coastal plain at Houston, fifty miles inland,
west of the section called Houston Heights, in the vicinity of
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 155
the head of a small steep-sided ravine, running to the Buffalo
bayou near by, the surroundings being a sparse forest, mostly
loblolly pine.
The conditions were essentially those of late October in
Illinois. The grass and weeds were dead, as a rule, and the
deciduous trees leafless. A few frosts had previously occurred.
The weather on the above days was sunny and warm at mid-
day, giving a brief collecting period from about n A. M. to
3 p. M. , when a few insects were seen moving about in the
sunshine.
Of the Hymenoptera, two or three parasitic species were
noted, and a few Polistes pallipes at Houston. The common
stinging ants about College Station, Pogonomyrmex comanchc,
were seen about their low mounded nests. Occasional Mus-
cidae and three or four butterflies were observed. A single
species of dragonfly {Sympetrum) and a prettily banded
Panorpa were taken several times. Two tiger-beetles and a
few Eleodcs were found sunning themselves. Among Hem-
iptera there were taken a few pentatomids and a large coreid
{Acanthocephala declivis). The only plant-feeder which ap-
peared to be definitely at work was a small Clastoptera-liVie.
species swept from the fresh green pine leaves. A bovine skull
lying on the ground at the Houston locality revealed the
openings of several large round burrows beneath it. Upturn-
ing the loose soil with a stick, a number of Gcotrupcs were
thrown out. Dcrmestcs and Silpha were noted on animal
remains at Galveston.
Insects under bark, logs, etc., seemed not especially numer-
ous. They wrere mostly of the usual familiar types, though
often of unfamiliar species. At Galveston nearly all wood
fragments had been swept away, except a line of driftwood
near the inner edge of the beach, which was destitute of insect
life, and only stone and metal debris remained. These gave
some interesting Nabidse and Tenebrionidae, however, and an
old pair of pants by a pasture fence proved quite a treasure-
house. Lacon rcctangulus and Opatrinus acicnlalus were com-
mon, both here and at College Station. The remaining
principal hibernating forms seen were Carabicku,
156 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
Disonycha, Reduviidae, Aradidae, ants, and sluggish, immature
scorpions.
The Orthoptera received especial attention. The previous
frosts had apparently killed 'all grasshoppers in level, open
lands and other exposed situations, but they were still fairly
common where protected by trees, weeds, brush, or sloping
banks, as in the grassy hollows about College Station. At
Galveston they were somewhat more generally distributed.
Out of about 1,200 insects collected, over 800 were Orthop-
tera. The largest collection of Orthoptera in any one day
came from the Houston locality, where 108 were taken on
January 6th. No Phasmidae or Mantidae were observed in any
stage, and the L/ocustidae were represented only by a few Cono-
cephalus, some of these being under shelter, as if hibernating.
Some of the 'hoppers were getting pretty ragged, but in gen-
eral they were in fair condition. The following is an anno-
tated list of the species, including some other Texas records.
These are mostly from specimens received from Mr. Conradi,
now in the collection of the Illinois State Laboratory of
Natural History, in which all the above material has been
placed. The four localities are cited by their initials, using
" B." for the Brazos River bottoms. The dates have already
been given for each place, and need not be stated in detail.
LIST OF THE ORTHOPTERA.
Anisolabis inaritinia Bon. B., 19 adults and nymphs. Under logs
about farm buildings, near the high river-bank. New to Texas, and un-
usual so far inland.
Labia burgessi Scudd. H., 9 adults, 8 nymphs. Found under the
loose bark of a large fallen pine, in company with the next species, from
which it scarcely differs, except in the obtected and apparently function-
less wings, and the smaller tegmina. A Florida species, new to Texas.
Labia guttata Scudd. H., 3 adults, 9 nymphs. Found with the pre-
ceding, as stated.
Ischnoplera? spp. C., B., G., 7 nymphs. Under boards, etc.
Kakerlac americana Scudd (Lobopiera). "Tex." (Bolter Coll.) New
to Texas.
Periplaneta americana Linn. G., 4 examples ; C. (Coll. I. S. L. N.
H.) This is the dominant roach in Houston and Galveston.
Oligonyx scudderi Sauss. C. (Coll. I. L. N. H.)
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 157
Paratettix texanus Hanc. C. (Coll. I. S. L. N. H.); H., 3, more seen.
Near the small stream.
P. texanus nanus Hanc. H., 2. This is quite possibly a distinct
species.
Tettizidea laterals Say. C. (Coll. I. S. L. N. H.) ; H., i.
Syrbula admirabilis Uhl., October 28th (Coll. I. S. L. N. H.)- H., i.
Much larger than Illinois examples.
Mesochlora abortiva Brun. C., 14 cf, 28 $ , i young; B., 4 9. One
of the commonest species about College Station, on the dry, thinly
grassed sides of stream hollows.
Mesochlora unicolorn. sp. C., 8 tf, n 9 ; B., i J1. Associated with
the preceding, and not differing appreciably from it except in the dorsal
sculpture and coloration ; the two not intergrading, however, in the series
obtained.
Readily recognized by the uniform gray of the tegmina and dorsal sur-
faces of head and pronotum, the lateral carinae uniform throughout, not
partly swollen, at middle less sharply curved than in abortiva, and
usually separated here by more than half the distance between them at
the posterior margin. The pronotal lateral black spot and oblique carina
are about as in abortiva.
In abortiva, on the other hand, there is a velvety black line on the
tegmina, sometimes broken, and two straight stripes of this color on the
head and pronotum above. On the pronotum these include the strongly
clepsydral lateral carinae, the convergent portions of which are straight,
swollen, and ivory-white, connected by a fine short arc, the carina.' here
separated by about half the distance between them on the posterior
margin. Type in collection of 111. State Lab. of Nat. Hist.
Amblytropidia occidentalis Sauss. C., i ; H., 23. Abundant among
the pines, very elusive, flying short distances noiselessly and almost in-
visibly, the dorsal color closely matching that of the fallen pine needles.
Orphulella pelidna Burm. C., 24, i nymph; B., i; H., 36; G., 6.
Widely distributed and common in short grass. Galveston examples
are mostly a little shorter winged and greener, suggesting the next.
O. picturata Scudd. C., 12; B., 6. With the preceding.
Dichromorpha viridis Scudd. H., 2. Green variety.
Arphia xanthoptera Germ. C., i ; H., 4.
A. simplex Scudd. H., 8 ex. With the preceding on dry sunny open
spots in woods.
Chortophaga viridifasciata DeG. C., 12; B., H., 5; G., 10. Many
others seen. The green form is rarer than in Illinois. Both sexes were
seen to produce the crackling sound in flight. I was struck by the
abundance and activity of both young and adults. They seemed thor-
oughly at home at this season.
Encoptolophus cos/a/is Scudd. C., 3 ; B., 4 ; H., i. On bare dry ex-
posures of washed-out roads or stream banks.
158 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
Hippiscus rugosus Scudd. C., i.
Dissosteira Carolina Linn. B., i.
Trachyrhachys fnscifrons Stal. {Mestobregma} C., i. On low
gravelly mound in stream bed.
Conoza amplicornis Caud. (Psinidia sulcifrons amplicornis Caud.)
G., i rf, i 9. Among little sandy hillocks, in company with He/iasfits.
Described from a male and female from Victoria, Tex. Apparently a
good species. Posterior edge of pronotum dorsally strongly concave
each side, with a marked acute process at middle. Wings of female
orange tinted. Pronotal carina deeply cut twice. The male is remark-
ably small ; body 12.5 mm., tegmina 13 mm. antennae 9 mm. Other
characters just as described by Caudell.
Trimerotropis citrina Scudd. B., 5; G., 10. Common on the high
banksof the Brazos, and on the sides of the canal at Galveston.
Heliastus sumichrasii subrosea Caud. G., 3. Found with the Conoza.
The absence of the pronotal carina between the sulci is not always
evident.
Brachystola magna Gir. Rescue, Tex., June 8th (Coll. I. S. L. N. H.).
Dictyophorus reticulatus Thunb. C., July 2oth (Coll. I. S. L. N. H.).
D. marci Serv. C., May I5th ; Wellborn, Tex., June 26th (Coll. I.
S. L. N. H.).
Leptysina niarginicollis Serv. G., i.
Schistocerca americana Dru. C., 8 ; H., 3 ; G., 4 ; C. Aug. 8 and 22,
and Nov. 18 (Coll. I. S. L. N. H.). Common about trees or bushes,
flying to them when disturbed.
S. damnified Sauss. H., 8. Flies up into trees as does americana,
but is more inclined to be tricky and exasperating.
Paraidenwna inimica Scudd. C., 8; B., i ; H., 2; G., 3. In dry,
sparsely grassy nooks.
Campy lacantha acutipennis Scudd. C., i ; B., i ; Paris, Tex., Oct. 6
(Coll. I. S. L. N. H.). This is the infuscate form, often found associated
with C. olivacea, and doubtfully distinct from it.
Melanoplus atlanis Riley. B., 10 ; C., Oct. 28 (Coll. I. S. L. N. H.).
In the corner of a bottom-land cotton-field, next to a farm yard, Melan-
opli were remarkably abundant, attracted, perhaps, by belated plants.
The species were atlanis, femur-rubrum and impiger?
M. scudderi te.vensis, n. var. C., 18 ; B., 2; H., 15. Common in
well-sheltered spots with moderately thick grass, associated with ,)/.
plebejus. The length of the furcula, not at all "exaggerated" in Scud-
der's figure* — in some cases fully one-third the length of the supra-anal
plate — the more rounded tegmina, and the very distinct lateral stripe in
both sexes, seem to entitle this to varietal rank. Type in coll. I. S. L.
N. H.
M. femur-rubrum DeG. C., 2; B., 3; C., Oct. 28 (Coll. I. S. L. N.
H.). Infrequent. One from each locality has glaucous hind tiluc.
*Proc. U. S. Xul. Mus., Vol. XX, I'l. XIV, liij. 6.
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 159
M. bispinosus Scudd. G., 4. Open pastures among grass and short
weeds. The two males agree closely with Scudder's figure* but are
considerably smaller than his. The metazona is short, decidedly shorter
than the prozona. The larger male measures: body, 19 mm.; antennae,
7.5 mm.; tegmina, 15 mm.; hind femora, 10.7 mm. The other is nearly
one-fifth smaller.
M. impiger Scudd. ? B., 12; G., n ; C.,Oct. 28 (Coll. I. S. L. N. H.).
Fuund in open grassy ground ; particularly abundant in the cotton field
referred to under atlanis. All are females, including a number in the
State Laboratory Collection, and a persistent search at each locality
failed to disclose the male. In the Texas Agricultural College collection
they are labeled impiger, but the description of this does not fit them
very well.
M.'plebejusS>\3\. C., 14; B., 16 ; H.. 6. Associated with M. scudderi
texensis ; superficially similar, but with glaucous hind tibiae and very
unlike male structures. Those from B. were in margin of heavy forest,
associated with I\f. robustus.
Jf. dele tor Scudd. C., i ; H., 27. Grassy banks in forest. Near
luridus, but larger. The cereal upper fork is bent up more than Scud-
der's key indicates.
M. differentialis Thorn. C., i ; Wellborn, Tex., Aug. 25; Brazos R.,
July 20 ; C., Aug. 20 and Oct. 28 (Coll. I. S. N. H. ).
M. robustus Scudd. Common in margin of heavy forest area on low,
Hat-bottomland, associated with M. plebejus.
Scudderia furcata Brunn. C., tf, $ (Coll. I. S. L. N. H.). Tarsi,
hind tibae, and tips of hind femora blackish, and the tympanum and pos
terior edge of tegmina fuscous. Genital structures as vn furcata.
Microcentruui laurifoliinn Linn. C., Oct. 3 (Coll. I. S. L. N H.).
Conocephalus fuscostriatus Redt. G., i. In the folds of the before-
mentioned old pair of pants.
C. mexicanus Sauss. H., i ; G., i.
Xiphidium strictum Scudd. Wellborn, Tex., June 26 (Coll. I. S. L.
N. H.).
Stipator cragini Brun. Wellborn, Tex., June 26 (Coll. I. S. L. N. H.).
Nemobius fasciatus vittatus Harr. B., i.
N. socius Scudd. C., 3; B, 6; G., 2. Apparently the commonest
Nemobius about cultivated land. In several species of this genus an in-
termediate form between the long and short-winged forms lias been
noted, in which the tegmina are as in the long-winged forms, the dorsal
field slightly projecting behind, but the wings are absent — as in Lugger's
figure oi fasciatus vittatus. One of the socius is of this form.
N. funeralis, n. sp. C., one female. Rather small, almost wholly-
black, antennae fusco-testaceous on basal half, except the basal joint,
with a few black annulations ; maxillary palpi black, the penultimate
"I.e., PI. XIX, tig. 0.
160 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, 06
joint fusco-testaceous ; a faint dark testaceous margin in front of the eye,
and a small spot anteriorly on the lateral lobe of the pronotum ; abdomen
above with gray spots in the usual pattern. Tegmina as long as head
and pronotum, rounded and slightly oblique at tip, longitudinal veins
prominent, cross-veins very feeble, lateral fields black, dorsal dark fus-
cous, a fine yellow line on vein at lateral margin of dorsal field, con-
tinued along apical margin of lateral field. Legs black, tibiae with
testaceous interrupted line on upper face, first tarsal joint dark testa-
ceous, black at tip ; spines of hind tibiaas testaceous at base and tip.
Cerci fuscous ; ovipositor short, black, nearly straight, distinctly denticu-
late, slightly exceeding cerci. Body 7.5 mm. long. Ovipositor 3.5 mm.;
hind femora, 5.5 mm.; tegmina, 2.6 mm. Type in coll. I. S. L. N. H.
N. mexicanus Walk. C., i.
N. carolinus Scudd. B., i ; H., i adult, i nymph.
Gryllus americanus Blatchl. B., i ; C. (Coll. I. S. L. N. H.). From
what I have seen of this in Illinois, I should think it was clearly distinct.
Scudder's description of neglectus is right ior pennsyfvanicus, but not for
americanus.
G. pennsylvanicus Burm. G., 9 ; B., Mar. 22 (Coll. I. S. L. N. H.).
Tfegmina longer than in Illinois specimens, in the females fully reaching
tip of abdomen. The B. specimen is long-winged. Of a large number
of nymphs from under boards at C. and B., the majority are probably
this species.
(Ecanthus pint Beut. C. Coll. I. S. L. N. H.). This is the form near
4-punclatns, but with a transverse bar on the basal antennal joint in place
of the black dot, and assigned to the above species by Titus.*
On the Genus Trachykele, With Notes and Descrip-
tions of Other North American Buprestidae.
BY H. C. FALL.
j
TRACHYKELE Mars.
There is perhaps no genus of North American Buprestidee
concerning which so little is positively known as the one here
named. Specimens are very rare in collections, our literature
is almost bare of allusions to them, and foreign literature of-
fers little more to the inquiring student. The genus was de-
scribed in 1865 by Marseul, who based it upon a single speci-
men, said to have been found in the Custom House at Paris,
emerging from a cedar of Lebanon (" Sortant d'un cedre du
Liban"), by M. Blondel.
* 23d Rep. 111. State Ent., p. 218.
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. l6t
This locality seems to have been early discredited, for in
the Catalogus of Gemminger and Harold (1869) the locality
New Orleans is given for the species. I have been unable to
discover the origin of this change, but it is doubtless connected
with the fact that there is in the L,eConte collection a pair of
elytra fastened to the body of another Buprestide, and bear-
ing the legend in Salle's handwriting "The elytra alone are
from blondeli" and the locality label " Nile Orleans."
In the Catalogus the Buprestis Iccontei of Gory (1840) is
also and properly referred to this genus, but with the locality
"Am. Bor." instead of Mexico as originally given by Gory.
Coming down to the " Biologia," the locality of blondeli has
again been changed, for here we read- ' Said to come from
Mexico, but there, is some doubt of the correctness of this
locality. There is a single example in the British Museum
without locality, here figured." This figure, Mr. Blanchard
writes me, agrees very well with the elytra in the LeConte
collection.
In his treatment of the Buprestidae in Wytsman's Genera
Insectorum, Kerremans states with apparent assurance that
blondeli is from Mexico, and that it is identical with Gory's
lecontei. It is difficult to know what to make of this state-
ment, since Kerremans admits he has never seen a specimen
of the genus and yet gives no authority for his assertion. He
pronounces Gory's description as insufficient and his figure
unrecognizable and not at all. like that given by Waterhouse
in the Biologia. Gory's description is short and unsatisfactory,
it is true, but it is sufficiently characteristic to warrant our
saying that the single examples of lecontei in the LeConte and
Horn Collections — from, Georgia and Louisiana — respective!}',
are the real thing and a very different thing from blondeli.
The lack of correspondence between Gory's and Waterhouse's
figures is not at all surprising.
Assuming that the blondeli elytra in the L/eCoute collection
are correctly labeled, there yet remain two undescribed species
from our Pacific Coast region, consideration of which has
prompted this investigation. One of these is a green species
resembling blondeli, and the few specimens known have, I be-
162 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
lieve, been so referred ; the other, a dark bronzed form, is
more like lecontei, and has so passed, but it is larger than that
species, and in some other respects quite different. The fol-
lowing descriptions and notes will help to make these fine Bu-
prestides better known to our collectors and students of our
Coleoptera.
Trachykele opulenta n. sp.
Green of varying brilliancy and with more or less evident golden or
coppery glints at some part of the surface ; disk of elytra maculate with
small velvety black spots which vary much in size and number, but which
show a tendency toward arrangement in longitudinal lines extending
from the basal to the apical fourth. Upper surface glabrous and ex-
tremely densely not coarsely punctate ; beneath with fine rather sparse
whitish pubescense, densely punctate anteriorly, apical portion of abdo-
men more sparsely so. Front uneven, vertex impressed each side, car-
inate at middle. Prothorax nearly one-half wider than long, the length
subequal to the width at apex, base a little wider, sides (superior lateral
crest) broadly but distinctly angulate just behind the middle, disk with
three anterior impressions and two large and deep posterior ones, the
median lines sometimes narrowly smooth posteriorly and terminating in
a small antescutellar fovea. Elytra about four times as long and one-third
wider than the prothorax, humeri rather prominent ; sides parallel to be-
hind the middle, thence gradually narrowed ; apex narrowly subtruncate
and a little oblique ; disk with from one to three short or incomplete
sulci parallel with the suture, one or all of which may become nearly or
quite obsolete. Sterna and first ventral segment very densely punctate
and dull, following segments more sparsely finely punctate and shining,
especially at middle. Length, 16-20 mm.; width, 5-6^ mm.
In the male the antenna? are a little longer than the head and pro-
thorax ; the front and middle tibiae are slightly curved and denticulate
within, and the fifth ventral is squarely truncate.
In the female the antemue scarcely pass the base of the prothorax ; the
tibiae are nearly straight and denticulate within, and the fifth ventral is
rotundate-truncate.
Hab. — South Central Sierras of California to Washington
(State). I have seen six examples (i 9 , 5 £ s) of this beauti-
ful species, all but one of which were taken by Mr. Ralph
Hopping in the Giant Forest region, Tulare Co., California.
Of these Mr. Hopping writes, "One was beaten from the foli-
age of Pinus lamberliana at 6,000 ft.; others were caught fly-
ing in the Giant Forest at 6,400 ft., and one was cut from the
burnt standing mast of a Libocedrus decnrrcns (Incense Cedar)
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 163
at 5,000 ft. This latter was in its own burrow and there
would seem to be no doubt that Libocedrus is a food tree of the
species. ' ' The sixth specimen bearing the label ' ' Three Rivers,
Cal." is from the same region, and was recently submitted
without notes by Prof. C. F. Baker. I learn on inquiry that
Mr. Fuchs has a single 9 of this species from Seattle,
Wash. , and there is also a " W. T. " example in the Horn
collection. Miss Julia Wright has taken two examples at
Towles, Placer Co., Cal., (fide Blaisdell). Dr. A'an Dyke
says, " I have never collected a live Trachykele, but have two
green wing cases, one taken from, I think, a yellow pine
stump at Sesson, Shasta Co., the other in Tuolumne Co."
(California).
T. blondeli Mars.
The description of Marseul applies about equally well to the
species above described, and to a form of which I have seen
two examples received by Dr. Fenyes from Santa Fe. , New
Mexico. Specimens of each were accordingly sent to Mr.
Frederick Blanchard, who has kindly compared them with
the blondeli elytra in the LeConte collection. Mr. Blanchard
reports that the Santa Fe specimen is of a more brilliant green
but otherwise so closely in accord with blondeli that he thinks
there can be scarcely a doubt of their identity. The two
species are quite similar in most respects, but on comparison
blondeli differs plainly from opulenta in its distinctly coarser,
less dense punctuation and consequently more shining surface,
in the more strongly angulate lateral crest and deeper excava-
tions of the pronotum. There is on each elytron of blondeli
at about two-fifths from the apex and midway between the
suture and side margin, a small transverse impunctate carini-
form elevation or tumidity, no trace of which exists in ^ptiloita.
Some other small differences are observable but they are com-
paratively unimportant and perhaps not constant. The Santa
Fe specimens are respectively 14 and 17 mm. in length; the
L/eConte elytra indicate a still larger specimen. It is quite
probable that the Santa Fe species ranges south into Mexico,
and to this extent tends to confirm the locality given by \Vuter-
164 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
house and Kerremans for blonddi. On the other hand, it
seems unlikely that a species living on coniferous trees at an
altitude of 7,000 or 8,000 ft. in the Rocky Mts. is also a native
of the lowlands adjoining the Gulf of Mexico. The New Or-
leans specimen may therefore have been imported in timber ;
it should, however, be remembered that T. lecontei is also re-
ported from Louisiana.
T. nimbosa n. sp.
Very similar in form and size to blondeli, of a dull bronze, with sparse
subsquamiform pubescence ; the elytra numerously irregularly immacu-
late with opaque velvety black spots, three of which in a longitudinal
line on each elytron are larger and occupy more pronounced impressions.
Head and prothorax densely punctate and impressed as usual in the
genus ; the pronotal excavations fully as deep as in blondeli, the lateral
crests even more strongly angulate than in that species. Elytra each
with three or four feeble costse more or less interrupted by the impres-
sions, the surface altitaceous and moderately closely punctate, the
punctures not crowded as in blondeli or more especially in opulenta.
Beneath more conspicuously pubescent, sterna densely punctate and
dull, the abdomen shining brilliant coppery bronze, the first segment
sparsely finely punctate, the following ones minutely and remotely so.
Length, 15-17 mm.; width, 4^-5^ mm.
Hab. — This species ranges from Tulare Co., California, to
British Columbia.
Three examples — all 9 s — are before me, two taken by Mr.
Hopping at " Marble Bridge" (5,200) and " Round Meadow,
Giant Forest," Tulare Co., California. The third specimen
was taken by Dr. Fenyes at Glen Alpine (7,000 ft.) near Lake
Tahoe, Cal. The elytra of the latter specimen are completely
devoid of pubescence, as is the case in a specimen in the Le-
Conte collection from British Columbia, which, however, Mr.
Blanchard believes is identical with the Marble Bridge speci-
men, which I have taken as the type.
Mr. Hopping informs me that the specimens taken by him
—three in all — were found flying in the Giant Forest, and he
does not know their food tree. Dr. Fenye's example was
found on the trunk of a fallen coniferous tree which, from
memory, he believes to have been a spruce, certainly not a
pine. Mr. Fuchs writes me that he once had specimens of
this species (which he speaks of as lecontei} from Tuolumne,
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 165
Plumas and Shasta Cos., Cal., but that these are now in the
Ulke collection. The Shasta specimen he thinks was taken on
yellow pine (Pinus ponder o so) .
T. lecontei Gory.
I learn from Dr. Skinner that there is a single example of
this species in the Horn collection, and from Mr. Blanchard
that the LeConte collection contains a single $ , the following
description of which he has kindly sent me.
" Very much smaller and more parallel in form (than niwbosa). the
prothorax not at all expanded at sides. Front of head similar to the
last, the carina and impressions less strongly marked. Thorax some-
what quadrate, apex and base nearly equal in width, sides broadly feebly
arcuate, slightly sinuate behind, the angles arcuate ; margin slightly in-
ferior towards the front ; surface impressed similarly to the last, finely
and densely punctate except the convexity between the posterior im-
pressions, which is impunctate. Elytra somewhat flattened, substriate
near the suture, an irregular blackish subtransverse impression at an-
terior fourth, from outside the middle to the suture, a smaller more
rounded one just behind the middle, distant from the suture, and a still
smaller oblique one behind the last at posterior third ; surface finely
rugose and closely punctate, deeply impressed behind the humeri next
to the margin : dull bronze varied with coppery. Prosternum feebly im-
pressed, flat, abruptly tumid in front as in the other species ; coarsely,
densely, more or less asperately punctate, as is also the meso- and meta-
sternum ; abdomen finely, sparsely punctured and pubescent. Punctures
of elytra bearing depressed inconspicuous scale-like hairs ; sides of pro-
thorax more abundantly hairy, especially behind ; similar hairs beneath
anteriorly and at sides, finer more hair like on the abdomen. Last ven-
tral truncate and narrowly smooth and depressed at apex. Front and
tibiae slightly arcuate and asperate within, but less regularly and dis-
tinctly so than in opulcnta. Length, 9 mm.; width, 3.2 mm.
Hab. — Georgia (LeConte Coll.); Louisiana (Horn Coll.).
The more obvious diagnostic characters of our four species
are expressed in the following table :
Green ; first ventral segment very densely punctate.
Upper surface verv densely punctate, side margin (lateral
crest) of prothorax moderately angulate. (California to
Washington) opnlenta.
Upper surface less densely, more coarsely punrtau- ; sic'e
margin of prothorax strongly angulate (New Mexico; M< \i
co? New Orleans??) blondeli.
1 66 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
Bronzed ; first ventral segment rather sparsely finely punctate.
. Lateral crest of pronotum well developed and strongly angu-
late, size larger, 15-17 mm. (California ; British Colum-
bia) nimbosa.
Pronotal crest obsolete, sides not angulate ; size smaller, 9
mm. (Georgia ; Louisiana) lecoutei.
POLYCESTA.
In the January number of the Canadian Entomologist, p.
22, Mr. Schaeffer questions the correctness of my observation
(ENT. NEWS, 1905, p. 73) as to the form of the last ventral
segment in males of calif ornica, his suspicions being based
solely on his study of other species of the genus. In every
student's experience instances have occured where it is much
easier to believe a published statement the result of an obser-
vational error, than to believe that an insect departs in some
particular from a type known to prevail in allied forms. Mr.
Schaeffer's doubts are perhaps natural enough, but they are
in this case ill-founded, and I am able to state after a renewed
examination, that the facts are precisely as recorded by me in
the article cited. In my own collection and that of Dr. Fen-
yes are 8 £ s and 4 9 s of calif ornica. In none of the males is
the apex of the last ventral produced in the form of a broad
obtuse parallel sided lobe (as is the case in every one of the
5$s of data at hand), the apex of the segment being very
slightly subtriangularly prominent, the sides scarcely at all
sinuate, the tip narrowly rounded or subangulate. I should
have mentioned in my original notes a very obvious sexual
character pointed out to me by Mr. Blanchard, which elata and
californica possess in common. In these two species the first
ventral segment is broadly swollen or tumid at middle through-
out its length, the punctuation of this convexity being much
finer and sparser than the same segment in the female. In
velasco and arhouica Schaef. this segment is not sexually
modified. The Yuma male previous referred to by me under
velaso, is without much doubt Schaeffer's recently described
arizonica. These two forms are certainly very closely allied ;
so closely that I somewhat doubt their being more than vari-
etal forms of the same species.
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
MASTOGENIUS.
Mastogenius impressipennis n. sp.
Larger than subcyaneus, black, slightly bronzed, nearly glabrous, mod-
erately shining. Head with violaceous tint, rather strongly convex,
closely coarsely punctate, with a rather deep circular median fovea. An-
tennae just passing the hind angles of the prothorax, slender, serrate
from the fourth joint, second joint globose ; third small, much longer
than wide, subequal in length to the second and scarcely more than half
as long as the fourth ; intermediate joints fully twice as long as wide.
Prothorax two thirds wider than long, widest at apical third, sides feebly
arcuate and a little convergent behind, more strongly rounded in front,
hind angles very slightly obtuse ; surface evenly convex, a small fovei-
form impression near the middle of the side margin ; punctuation rather
coarse and very dense, with slight tendency to transverse strigosity ; a
very fine and faint median impressed line which reaches neither base nor
apex. Elytra as wide as the basal width of the prothorax. sides parallel
for three-fourths their length, surface a little more coarsely but less den-
sely punctate than the prothorax, rather deeply and narrowly impressed
along the basal margin, and each with three discal impressions, the an-
terior one subsutural. Beneath strongly closely punctate, less closely
toward the ventral apex. Posterior margin of hind coxal plates broadly
sinuate. Length, 3^ mm.
El Taste, Lower California (Beyer).
Mr. Schaeffer has recently described two species of this
genus, viz. : reticulaticollis from Brownsville, Tex. , and robustus
from Arizona. From the former of these impressipennis may
at once be distinguished by the prothoracic and elytral sculp-
ture, and from the latter by the impressed front, less trans-
verse prothorax, and antennal structure. Sitbcvaucns differs
much by its smaller size, sparser punctuation, differently
formed prothorax, antennal structure, etc. Three other species
of the genus are known, viz.: Solieri Thorn. , from Brazil, and
sulcicollis Philippi and parallel us Sol. from Chile. The last
mentioned differs from all of our species by the parallel-sided
thorax, which is as long as wide ; sulcicollis is separable by
the sulcate thorax, as its name indicates ; of solieri I have seen
no description.
A6RILUS.
Agrilus lucanus n. sp.
Rather strongly cuneiform, color dark coppery br.onze, elytra with
short fulvous appressed hairs, forming an obscure ba^al spot, a diffuse
median band, a narrower better defined fascia near the apical fourtn, and
168 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
a small subapical spot connected with the latter along the suture. An-
tennae slender, not quite reaching the hind angles of the prothorax, joints
1-7 longer than wide, 8-10 as wide as long, the serration beginning with
the fourth joint. Head rather deeply unevenly impressed, coarsely
closely punctate, the punctures tending to form short striga.- at some
points. Prothorax transverse, sides straight and parallel posteriorly,
feebly arcuately narrowed in front, not sinuate before the hind angles,
which are strongly carinate ; median line deeply broadly impressed, the
concavity constricted near the middle and narrowed in front ; surface
transversely strigose at middle, obliquely at sides ; side margin sinuous
when viewed laterally. Scutellum carinate. Elytra not sinuate at sides,
just visibly narrowed to behind the middle, thence more strongly so to
apex, the tips obliquely sinuato-truncate interiorly, margin acutely ser-
rate ; disk flattened along the suture, the depression limited externally
by a well-defined costa. Beneath with sparse yellowish pubescence
which is not condensed at sides. Prosternal lobe rather strongly emar-
ginate.
Described from a single specimen given me by Mr. Beyer,
by whom it was taken at El Taste, Lower California. The
type is a $ , having the prosternum densely hairy, but with-
out ventral characters. The front and middle tibiae are mu-
cronate at tip as usual ; the hind tibiae may also be armed
but the tips are not visible as mounted. The front and middle
claws are cleft at tip, the posterior with a broader more basal
tooth.
Lucanus would best stand near cavatus as tabulated by Horn.
In general facies, and especially in the form of the elytral
apices it departs from the prevailing northern type and ap-
proaches that of the Mexican species. Dr. Horn is decidedly
in error in saying* that the tibiae are unarmed in the females
of all our species of Agrilus. In many species the tibiae in
this sex are armed, the spur or mucro differing from that in
the male only in being shorter and less conspicuous ; it is,
however, plain enough in the larger species, especially on the
middle and (when present) hind tibiae. I have not attempted
to verify the presence of the terminal spur throughout the
genus, but the following species among others well illustrate
the point in question. Coucsii, cavatus, vittatocollis, bilincatus,
angelicns, araiatus, acntipennis, walskingframi, fiolitiis,
ventris.
"Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. XVIII, p. 281.
May, '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
169
Notes on the True Neuroptera.
BY J. F. McCLENDON.
(Plate VIII)
3. A Catalogue of Texas Ncuroptcni.
Very few Neuroptera have been recorded from Texas, and
I am writing the following list in the hope that it will en-
courage others to make a more thorough study of this inter-
esting group in that region. Through the kindness of Dr.
Samuel Henshaw I was allowed to examine the specimens in the
Museum of Comparative Zoology, and Dr. L. O. Howard and
Mr. R. P. Currie gave me every facility in looking over those
in the National Museum. Mr. Nathan Banks, Asst. Ento-
mologist, Dept. of Agriculture, let me study his collection,
which contains more Texas material than that of any mu-
seum I have visited. Most Texas material is scanty and
merely labeled 'Texas," and in some cases the genus only
could be identified. Where the collector's name was not
known I have inserted the name of the owner or donor of the
specimens. In many cases I refer to a monograph rather
than the original description of a species, and have omitted the
author's name where it is included in the name of the species.
SIALIS Latr. (Sialis sp.? Austin, McClendon).
CORYDALIS Latr.
cornuta Linn., Hagen, '61,* Columbus, E. A. Schwarz ; Austin, McClen-
don.
Fig. i. — Coi-ydali* />• i
ana, dorsal view of head
and neck.
Fit;. 2. — C'ni iviW/.v li-x-
aini, ventral vic\\ ni head
and neck.
Fit;. 3.— ( '<>; r,/a//.\ t •' \ "
nun. lahium and h\ [ui|ih:ii
\ MX ul lai \ a
* Synopsis of Neuroptera of North America, by Hermann lla.^en. Smithsonian Institute.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
cognata Hag., '61,* Pecos River, Hagen.
crassicornis McLach., '67, Jour. Linn. Soc. Zool., v. 9, p. 233, San
Antonio, A. Agassiz.
immabilis McLach., '67, Jour. Linn. Soc. Zoo!., v. 9, p. 235, Waco, Bel-
frage.
texana Banks, Jour. N. Y. Ent. Soc., v. ir, p. 239, Laredo, McClendon.
Fig. 4. — Corydalis tex- Fig. 5. — Corvdalis tr i - Fig. 30. — Corvdalis tex-
aiia, ventral view of thorax. ana, lateral view of thorax. ana, tergites of the thorax.
RAPHIDIA Linn.
oculata Banks, '05, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc., v. 32, p. 4, Austin.
McClendon.
MANTISPID^E.
MANTISPA 111.
bmnnea Say, Hagen, '61, Dallas, Riley ; Victoria, Hinds, Morrill ;
San Antonio, Marlatt.
interrupta Say, Hagen, '61. Victoria, Caudell ; Brownsville, E. A.
Schwarz, H. Barber ; San Antonio, Banks ; Austin, McClen-
don.
CONIOPTERYGID^.
CONIOPTERYX Halid. (Conioptetyx n sp., Brownsville, Barber).
CHRYSOPID^E.
LEUCOCHRYSA McLach.
antennata Banks, '05, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc., v. 32, p. 5, Brownsville, H.
Barber.
americana Banks, '97, Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash., v. 4, p. 175, Austin, Mc-
Clendon.
CHRYSOPA Leach.
oculata Say, Hagen, '61, Austin.
ntfilabris Burm., Hagen, '61, Columbus, Schwarz; Victoria, Schwarz;
Austin, McClendon.
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 17 i
quadt-ipunctata Burm., Hagen, '61, Austin, McClendon.
sulphured Fitch, Hagen, '61, Austin, McClendon.
plorabunda Fitch, Hagen, '61, Greenville, H. Barber ; Austin, Mc-
Clendon.
externa Hagen, '61, Greenville, H. Barber; Austin, McClendnn.
piiHctinervis McLach., '69, Ent. Month Mag., '69, p. 24, Texas, Mc-
Lach.
biinaculata McClendon, 'or, Psyche, v. 9, p. 215, Brownesville, H. Bar-
ber ; Austin, Banks ; San Antonio, Banks ; Laredo, Mc-
Clendon.
HEMEROBID.E.
HEMEROBIUS Linn.
castanece Fitch, Hagen, '61, Texas, Belfrage.
perparvus McLach., '69, Ent. Month. Mag., '69, p. 21, Texas, Mc-
Lachlan.
MICROMUS Ram bur.
atiffiisfus Hagen, '86, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., '86, p. 287, Texas,
Belfrage.
insipidns Hageu, '6r, Columbus, Schwarz.
posticus Walk., B. M. Cat., Neur., p. 283, Victoria, Schwarz ; Austin,
McClendon.
CLIMACIA McLachlan.
areolis Hagen, '61, Columbus, Schwarz ; Texas, Belfrage.
LOMAYIA Banks.
texana Banks, '97, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc., v. 4, p. 24, Brownsville, H.
Banks ; Central Texas, Banks.
MYRMELEONID^E.
(MYRMELEONIN^;. )
ACANTHACLISIS Rambur.
texana Hagen, '87-8, Canad. Ent., p. 197, Texas, Hagen.
DENDROLEON Hagen.
obsoletusSzy, Hagen, '61, Blanco Co., Am. Ent. Soc.
PSAMMOLEON Banks.
in^eniosus Walk., Hagen, '61, Columbus, Riley ; Brownsville and
Alice, Barber; Blanco Co., Am. Ent. Soc.; Austin, MrClen-
don.
BRACH1NEMURUS Hagen.
carrizonus Hag., '87-8, Canad. Ent., p. 93, Blanco Co., Am. Ent. Soc.;
Brownsville, H. Barber; San Diego, Schwar/, ; College Sta-
tion, Banks; Carrizo Springs, Hagen ; Austin, McClendon.
172
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[May, '06
abdominalis Say, Hagen, '61, Brazos Co., Banks ; Victoria, W. E.
Hinds; Alice, H. Barber ; Blanco Co., Am. Ent. Soc . ; Dallas,
Boll ; Carrizo Springs, Hagen ; Austin, McClendon.
longicaudus Burm., Hagen, "61, Texas, Riley.
peregrinus Hag., '61, Matamoros, Hagen.
sackeni Hag., '87-8, Round Mountain, Am. Ent. Soc.; Dallas, Boll.
irregularis Currie, '06, Proc. Ent. Soc., Wash.; Columbus, Schwarz.
hubbardi Currie, '98, Canad. Ent., v. 30, p. ^^cockerelli Banks ; Car-
rizo springs, Dr. A. Wadgymar ; Columbus, Am. Ent. Soc.
texanus Banks, '03, Jour. N. Y. Ent. Soc , '03, p. 240, Amarillo, Cock-
erell ; Laredo, McClendon.
dor sails Banks, '63, Jour. N. Y. Ent. Soc., '03, p. 240, Laredo.
curriei McClendon, '06, ENT. NEWS, v. 17, p. 93, Brownsville, Esperanzo,
Los Barregos, Barber.
MYRMELEON Linn.
iniuiaculatus DeGeer, Hagen, '61, Texas, Hagen.
rusticus Hagen, '6r, Brownsville, H. Barber; Vic-
toria, Caudell, J. Mitchell, Schwarz ; Co-
lumbus, San Diego, Schwarz ; Pecos
River, Hagen ; Matamoros, Hagen ;
Austin and Laredo, McClendon.
texanus Banks, 'oo, ENT. NEWS, v. n, p. 596,
Columbus, Schwarz ; Galveston, Mc-
Clendon.
NEUROPTYNX n. gen. ( == Ptynx Lefeb., preoccu-
pied).
juvenilis McLach., '71, Jour. Linn. Soc. Zoo!.,
Dallas Boll. ; Austin McClendon.
Fig. 31. — Myrmeleon
i usticus, tergites of
the thorax.
ULULODES Currie (Ulula Ramb.)
hyalina Latr. Hagen, '61, Dallas, H. Barber, Boll.; Austin, A. W. Mor-
rill, McClendon ; Bosque Co., Belfrage ; Columbus, Schwarz ;
Waco, Galveston and Laredo, McClen-
don ; Brownsville, H. Barber.
PANORPID^.
BITTACUS Latr.
occidenlis Walk., Hagen, '61, Texas, Banks.
PANORPA Linn.
Hiiptialis Gerst., '63, Stet. Ent. Zeit. '63, p. 24,
Jonesville, Mally ; College Station,
Banks ; Victoria, Calvert, A. W Morrill ;
Dallas, Boll ; Austin, McClendon, Nor- '•"'.«:• :^.—fn>/<>r/>,i »///>-
tittlm, tereites of the
man. thorax.
ENT. NEWS. VOL. XVII.
PI. VIII.
8
THE TRUE NEUROPTERA McCLENDON.
May, '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
173
EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.
The accompanying figures are intended to illustrate some points in
the external anatomy. Where appendages are cut off, the cut surface is
usually shaded with parallel lines. Membranous parts are shaded lightly
with dots.
a. Antenna.
ac. Antecoxal piece.
c. Clypeus.
cl. First Clypeus.
c'1. Second Clypeus.
ex. Coxa.
em. Epimeron.
es. Episternum.
/. Front.
ABBREVIATIONS.
g. Gena.
gu. Gula.
/. Labrum.
li. Labium.
m. Meron.
md. Mandible.
inx. Maxilla.
o. Occiput.
pg. Postgena.
ps. Presternum.
s. Sternum.
s* Sternellum.
scl. Prescutum.
sc. Scutum.
sc2 Scutellum.
sc3. Postscutellum.
sp. Spiracle.
/. Trochantine.
Fig. 6.
9-
10.
II.
12.
13-
14.
15-
16.
17-
18.
20.
21.
22.
23-
' 24.
" 25.
" 26.
" 27.
" 28.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE VIII.
RapJiidia oblita, ventral view of head.
J/a/i/ispa bru/uiea, ventral view of prothorax.
anterior leg.
Mynneleon rusticiis dorsal view of head,
ventral " " "
posterior view of head,
ventral " " mesothorax.
caudal appendages of female.
" male,
maxilla.
lateral view of mesothorax.
Bracliynemurus carrizonus, caudal appendages of female.
" male.
Inner parts shaded.
L/lulodes hyalina, head.
caudal appendages of female.
" male.
Biltacus strigosus,
Panorpa nuptialis
' female ; the abdomen is
pressed so as to extrude
the ovipositor, which is
semi-transparent.
caudal appendages of male, dorsal view.
" " " " ventral view.
ventral view of mesothorax.
anterior view of head.
posterior " " "
lateral view of mesothorax.
174 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
On the Perlid Genus Chloroperla.
BY NATHAN BANKS.
r
The genus Chloroperla was first described by Newman in the
third volume of the Entomological Magazine, page 500 ; the
number for April, 1836. He separates the genus from Perla
because the subcosta and costa are parallel, and on account of
the few cross-veins in this region of the wing. He says that
the genus includes several species, and mentions Ch. viridis
Fabr. , and Ch. lutea L,atr.,and describes a new form Ch.
apicalis. In August, 1836, appeared part of Vol. VI, Mandi-
bulata, of Stephens' well-known "Illustrations," containing,
on page 137, the genus Chloroperla Newman MSS. This, how-
ever is not important as Newman's own publications of the
name antedates Stephens by several months ; so that the type
of the genus must be found among the three names given by
Newman. In 1839 (Mag. Nat. Hist., n. ser. , Vol. Ill, p. 87)
Newman again treats of the genus Chloroperla, dividing it into
two sections, aberrant and normal species. Among the normal
species are the three names of his first article ; viridis Fabr.,
and lutea L,atr. , appearing as synonyms of C. flava Fourc. , a
possible synonym of C. tripunctata Scop. This synonomy is
not accepted by European authors, and the three names of
Newman's first paper on Chloroperla are reduced to tripunctata
Scop, and apicalis Newm. Both of these species are placed in
the genus Isopteryx by the European writers on Perlidae.
Therefore Chloroperla Newm., 1836, replaces Isopteryx, Pict.
1841. Chloroperla of authors has no synonyms; the species
of Leptomeres Rambr., and Dodecatoma Dufour, are placed in
Isopteryx. So the Chloroperla of Pictet and later authors is
without a name.
In Bull. No. 47, N. Y. State Museum, 1901, page 417, Mr.
Needham divides the family Perlidae into- two subfamilies—
Perlinse and Nemourinse. He bases these groups on the con-
dition of the median vein near base of wing ; fused with the
radius in the Nemourinse, distinct and parallel to the radius in
the Perlinse. There are various exceptions to this rule in
both groups, but especially among those forms previously
placed in the genus Chloroperla. This character is not of suf-
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 175
ficient constancy to divide the family into two subfamilies, but
I think it may well be used as of generic value to divide the
Chloroperla of authors into two genera. I therefore do so,
using the name Isoperla for those forms having the median
vein extending basally parallel to the radius, and Alloperla for
those forms having the median united to the radius at base.
The Perla bilineata Say, will be the type of Isoperla, which
includes also transmarina Newm., montana Bks. , j-pundata
Bks. , brunneipennis Walsh, and decolorata Walk. The Perla
iuibecilla Say, will be the type of Alloperla, which includes
also coloradensis Bks, pacifica Bks., signata Bks., borealis^Bk*.,
brez'is Bk*. , niinuta Bks. , marginata Bks., and pallidida Bks.
Alloperla differs chiefly from Chloroperla {Isopteryx~) by having
a folded anal space .to the hind wings.
Notes on Paptlio ajax.
BY R. R. ROWLEY, Louisiana, Mo.
It is not the writer's intention in this paper to tire his
readers with a lengthy description of the stages of larval
growth, since these have been carefully worked out by others
and the results published, but to record his observations on
the habits of the larva and the imago, with the hope that
young collectors at least may gather some inspiration from
these notes.
Wherever papaw grows there ajax is usually abundant
throughout much of the summer months and from late May
to mid-September this fine swallow-tail may be seen flitting
aimlessly though the bushes, rarely stopping for a moment.
Even when very abundant, it is not easy to take this " fly,"
and nine out of every ten are so injured as to be worthless for
cabinet purposes. So fragile are the wing tails that they are
often broken in the meshes of the net.
In June of 1900, a veritable a/a t year, I took a great num-
ber of these butterflies by decoys. A few ragged specimen-,
taken on the wing were killed and spread upon the ground
and leaves of low bushes along a path through the papaw
patch where they could be seen by the stream of flitting "flies"
above.
176 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
Restless as their flight seemed to be, many came down to
the decoys and were easily taken.
Trying this trick on another year when the butterflies were
less abundant, the ruse was almost a failure. In June of last
year I was able to collect numbers of the eggs and young
larvae and thus secure over a hundred chrysalids from which
I obtained less than a score of butterflies, the greater number
of pupae holding over to the next year. These eggs and
larvae were collected at intervals of a few days each from mid-
June to mid-August, and the first chrysalids obtained about
July loth.
Several even of this first lot of pupae have not yet given
butterflies nor will till spring.
No chrysalids gave imagoes inside of three weeks. In com-
pany with Mr. E. A. Dodge on June loth last, I observed an
ajax ovipositing, mentally marked the leaves and, while one
of us collected the eggs, the other followed the butterfly and
thus we were able to secure a dozen or more ova of the same
female.
We were surprised to find that she visited only low young
plants, and even then oviposited only on the tender end leaves
on the upper side (very rarely on the underside), sometimes,
however, on the leaf stalk, once on a blade of grass near the
papaw plant.
We had learned well a lesson, and after losing sight of our
tutor, waded into the teasel patch in search of young papaw
sprouts. We were abundantly rewarded with eggs and an
occasional very young larva.
The smaller and tenderer the sprouts the greater the re-
ward . The very small black caterpillars strongly reminding one
of the larvae of tree hoppers, were discovered on the underside
of the small tender end leaves, their presence indicated by the
small perforations seen on the upper side of the leaves. The
larger larvae were always found on the upper side of the leaf,
that is after the first or second month, to maturity.
Once seen the eggs are often seen by keen eyes, even with-
out stooping, but the leaves must be turned to find the freshly
hatched larvae.
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 177
In July we found eggs and larvae on somewhat larger
bushes, say two to four feet high, and on leaves below the
tender end ones. Later in the year when fresh leaves are
scarce all the foliage of the bushes was searched with success,
but the trees (ten to twelve feet high) rarely yielded any-
thing.
The eggs are little larger than mustard seeds, spherical,
pale green or sometimes streaked or blotched with red, a fea-
ture often noticed on the eggs of such sphinges as Smerinthus
geminahts, S. myops, S. exccecatns, and .5". modeslus. The
black eggs we saw were, doubtless, parasitized.
In the searches for eggs and larvae of ajax, eggs and larvae
of the "hawk," Dolba hylceus were often found, these latter
eggs differing from the former in size, mainly being deposited
on the underside of the leaf (rarely on the upper side).
Of course there is no mistaking the larva of Dolba, as it is
pale green, slender, with caudal horn and sphingial bands.
In all stages of the larva of ajax the thoracic region is swol-
len. The odor from the retractile thoracic tubes of the larva
of ajax is stronger than and entirely different from that of
other Papilio larvae with which the writer is acquainted.
Of the chrysalids we obtained, about one- twelfth only were
green, the rest being light reddish or yellowish-brown.
Like other Papilios, ajax is often seen in great bunches at
damp, sandy or muddy places, but more rarely at flowers. The
seasonal variation in this insect is well-known to collectors as
also the differences in the depth of the coloration.
Stemmed Cocoons of Telea polyphemus.
BY DR. R. E. KUNZE, Phoenix, Arizona.
During the season of 1889 and including 1892, I collected
immense numbers of Saturnian cocoons, within a radius of two
to ten miles from New York City, which were exchanged at
home or sent abroad. The localities included the banks of the
Harlem River, Palisades, the Hudson, swamps of the Hacken-
sack and the Passaic Rivers, low lands of the tongue of land
between New York and Newark Bay, Staten Island, Flatbu^h,
Brooklyn and Long Island City.
178 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
As a rule I found most of the stemmed polyphemus cocoons
on the lowermost limbs of shade trees, such as the cut-leaved
maple lining the streets and avenues of cities. This habit of
fastening such cocoons on trees of public highways, must be
accounted for in my mind as a protection against birds, as
well as being stepped upon or crushed by pedestrians and
vehicles.
On the other hand the same cocoons spun up in the leaf of
white birch, nine times out of ten, would be defoliated and
drop to the ground, where, if not destroyed by mice, would
develop into imagines of this race unless parasitized.
I very seldom found a stemmed cocoon on white birch, and
collected hundreds by turning over leaves in the winter under
low-growing bushes, and usually on the banks of streams or
the roadside of suburban parks.
Quite the contrary with stemmed cocoons found on low trees
of bush-like growth of swamp or pin oak. I will recall a
locality in the heart of a suburb of Jersey City, known then as
Bayonne, on a narrow stripe of land bordering on New York
Bay on the east, and Newark Bay west of it. Only two blocks
from the New Jersey Central R. R., with handsome residences
all around, were two squares, where the topography admitted
of no residences. The year round this ideal winter collecting
ground was under water from 12 to 18 inches deep, and shel-
tered birds, butterflies and moths. There must have been
warm springs in these two city blocks, because only on the
coldest days, with the mercury near the zero mark, could I
venture to collect in this marshy place. Thus being less than
a quarter mile from either bay, the property could not be
drained.
In this swamp I collected one winter, mostly in January,
some two hundred and fifty cocoons of polyphemus alone, hun-
dreds of promethea and a few of cecropia cocoons. During the
same winter I sent to Prof. Levi P. Mengel, of Reading, Pa.,
350 cocoons of polyphemus, and over 3000 cecropia cocoons,
all collected with the exception of polyphemus on Jersey City
Heights and environs. To refer back to polyphemus cocoons
I collected from swamp oak, they were dangling from defolia-
ted branchlets like nuts from a Christmas tree.
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 179
It seems to me that the larva of polyphcmus took this man-
ner of spinning up on the branchlets of this oak, to prevent its
falling in the water, where in due course of time it would
have frozen to death. About one mile from Bayonne, at a
suburb known as Greenville, I found on higher ground,
hundreds of white birch bushes, with almost every cocoon of
polvphemus spun in leaf and certain to drop below during
autumn gales.
I wish to add my testimony regarding the habit of T. poly-
phemns, for the safety of this race, which I was put in mind
of by a note by Miss Caroline Soule, in the December ENT.
NEWS, Vol. XVI.
EDITORIAL NOTE. — We do not believe this caterpillar sufficiently intel-
ligent to make stemmed cocoons over highways. The absence of the
ordinary cocoons in such places is accounted for by the fact that they
would rapidly be swept away by the ordinary traffic of the street or high-
way after they fell to the ground.
A MALPIGHIAN TUBE WITHIN THE HEART. — A few days before read-
ing Dr. Riley's article with this title in the April NEWS, page 113, I had
given out, to my class in Invertebrate Zoology, some transverse sections
of a grasshopper. On looking at one of the students' slides I noticed
two sections of a Malpighian tube within the heart, but thought their
presence there to be due to displacement in clearing the sections and dis-
solving the paraffin. Dr. Riley's article recalled this appearance and when
the class met to study the sections, I at once saw that we had another
of those apparently rare cases which Dr. Riley has described. Fortu-
nately, I still had enough sections of this grasshopper on hand to give
the following account of the course of this Malpighian tube. It entered
the ventral surface of the heart by a cardio-coelomic aperture, at a level
slightly in front of the hind end of the stomach, passed forward, within
the heart, to a level slightly anterior to that of the hind end of the gastric
coeca, bent upon itself and passed backward, still within the heart, to at
least as far as the level of the anterior part of the rectum. A gap in the
available sections of this region exists so that I am unable to state whether
the tube terminated within the heart, or whether it passed out into the
pericardial chamber as in Kowalevsky's case reported by Dr. Riley.
This grasshopper was also a I\fela?iop/us, probably Af. fentur-mbrum, and
a female. I do not recall having seen any other instance of a Malpighian
tube within the heart, and I would endorse Dr. Riley's view that such
occurrences are accidental.— PHILIP P. CALVERT, University of Pennsyl-
vania, Philadelphia.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items
of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given
in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at out
earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep-
tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num-
ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or
important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five " extras," without change in form,
will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along
with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — ED.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., MAY, 1906.
Several times we have published comments on articles
noticed in medical journals and called attention to the neces-
sity of medical colleges giving a course on the principles of
entomology, in view of the fact that so many diseases are
carried by insects. The quotation below is from the April,
1906, "Medical Brief," page 282, and carries us back before
the time of Dr. Francesco Redi, who lived about 1618. It has
been questioned whether such a statement as that in the
' Brief" is meant seriously, but from articles we have seen in
other medical journals and from conversation with some medi-
cal men there can be no question about it.
'Take the human seed germs (spermatozoa), put them
upon a plate, first spreading some alkaline nourishment upon
the plate ; for instance a little soap, place the plate in a room
of proper temperature, and in sixteen to twenty-four hours,
swarms of ants will be running about. In other words, these
living human germs placed under this different condition other
than the mother soil, develop into ants. These little fellows
can be watched and be seen to gradually develop and start off
on the run. This would evidently appear that living germs,
when placed by accident, or otherwise, under very different
conditions, produce very different forms of life. But what
relationship do we owe to the ant? Perhaps this is why the
claim is made that the ant has more characteristics of the
human being than any other animal."
180
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. l8l
Notes and. News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
MRS. A. T. SLOSSON has gone to Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, to
spend a month.
UP-TO-DATE METHODS IN ENTOMOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS. — Separ-
ates from the Journal of the .New York Entomological Society for Decem-
ber, 1906 (which will be published seven months hence), have been dis-
tributed by the Government. These separates bear date of March 14,
1906, and were distributed April 17, 1906. This paper describes "The
Larvae of Culicidse classified as Independent Organisms. By Harrison
G. Dyar and Frederick Knab." This delicious admixture of the past
and future dates is highly interesting. Species herein described conflict
with those made known in the Canadian Entomologist and ENTOMOLOGI-
CAL NEWS for April, 1906.* Of course the names in the NEWS and Can-
adian Entomologist would have precedence. It is not our intention to
review this paper but only to refer to the dates and the fact that species
are described from larvae alone. In looking over it we have come to the
conclusion that the future synonomy, etc., will be somewhat like a Chinese
puzzle, and reminds us of the question, How old is Ann ? We expect a
paper shortly describing species from the egg or pupa alone. — HENRY
SKINNER.
Omaha, April 29, 1906.
EDITORS NEWS : Gentlemen — Enclosed please find a paper which I wish
printed in the May NEWS. Please send me proof. Yours truly, JOHN
DOE.
San Francisco, Dec. 31, 1905.
EDITORS NEWS : Gentlemen. — I enclose a paper for the NEWS, which
I wish to appear in the next number. Yours truly, JOHN GREEN.
New York, April 30, 1906.
EDITORS NEWS: I have just moved ; please change my address and
send May NEWS to 1908 Broadway. Yours truly, JOHN SWIFT.
Manayunk, April 30, 11.59 P. M.
EDITORS NEWS : Gentlemen. — Enclosed please find paper for the
May NEWS. I know you have received fifty papers ahead of mine, but
I want mine in the next number. If the NEWS is printed, kindly have a
new edition struck off and insert my paper in it. Yours truly, JOHN
GAUL.
(The above are only samples. — EDITORS).
" I HOLD it is not decent for a scientific gent
To call another one an ass — or words to that intent.
Nor should the individual who happens to be meant
Reply by heaving rocks at him to any great extent."
—"TRUTHFUL JAMES."
*Culex sylvicola Grossbeckand lalirittntits Coq.
182 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
PROF. BERLESE'S APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING ARTHROPODS. — Prof
L. O. Howard's account of the Berlese apparatus -for collecting snia.l
arthropods (£NT. NEWS, 1906, pp. 4953), reminds me of a simpler
method tried many years ago with great success by the late R. Lawson,
of Scarborough, England. Instead of the metal funnel to be warmed by
hot water, he used a similarly shaped suspended canvas bag, and drove
the insects downward by placing rags saturated with ammonia above the
material on the sieve. The result was the same, everything wanted fall-
ing into the tube of alcohol at the bottom. — G. C. CHAMPION, Horsell,
Woking, England.
Doings of Societies.
A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadephia was held Nov. 23, 1905, Mr.
H. W. Wenzel, Vice-Director, presiding. Sixteen persons
were present. The presentation of 3,167 specimens of Ichneu-
monoidea, including types, by Mr. G. C. Davis, was announced
by the conservator. Dr. Calvert exhibited a map showing local-
ities in Mexico from whence he had recently received Odonata.
Every collection showed interesting material in either species
new to Mexico and Central America or showing new distribu-
tion. Nephepdtia phryne, which has a curious spine on the
metasternum, was exhibited from Guatemala. Dr. Skinner
described dragon-fly collecting in the Huachuca Mts., So.
Arizona. Mr. Rehn spoke of the Orthoptera he had recently
received from Costa Rica and of a paper on the material. Two
thousand specimens, 300 species, were under observation, of
which 56 proved new. Mention was made of the various col-
lections examined for the report. Mr. Daecke said he had
found a nest of Vespa Carolina at Riverton, New Jersey. He
had taken both sexes and the workers and found V. Carolina
and V. cuneata to be the same species ; the female queens were
Carolina and the males and workers cuneata. The nest \vas
about twelve inches in diameter. The entrance was described
as being papered and nicely built, the tunnel being nine inches
long. Dr. Calvert spoke of the importance of a description of
such a nest, as the subject was not well known. Mr. Wenzel
said his son Harry had caught a lively male of Vespa gennan-
ica on January first. Mr. E. T. Cresson, Jr., was elected a
member, and Mr. Oscar Mayer an associate.
HENRY SKINNER, Recorder.
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 183
A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia was held Dec. 28, 1905. Mr.
Philip Laurent, Director, presiding. Twelve persons were
present. Mr. Franklin, of Amherst, Mass., visitor. Mr.
Matthews, exhibited several short-tailed specimens of Papilio
philenor reared from chrysalids received from San Francisco,
California. Mr. Franklin made some remarks on the nests of
Bombi/s, having examined thirty. He found carbon bisul-
phide the best medium to quiet bees. In his opinion Botnbus
pennsylvanicus is the commonest species in the vicinity of Am-
herst, Mass., judging by the number of nests. Some remarks
were also made on the possible correlation of sexes of some of
the species. Mr. E. T. Cresson described methods used by
himself in previous, years in collecting specimens of this genus.
Mr. Franklin remarked that the only specimens of the genus
seen in early spring were queens. The following were elected
to serve as officers for the year 1906 : Director, Philip Laur-
ent ; Vice-Director, H. W. Wenzel ; Treasurer, E. T. Cresson ;
Recorder, Henry Skinner ; Secretary, Frank Haimbach ; Con-
servator, Henry Skinner ; Publ. Committee, C. W. Johnson,
J. H. Ridings. J. A. G. REHN, Recorder pro tern.
A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia was held Jan. 25, 1906. Mr.
H. W. Wenzel, Vice-Director, presiding. Fourteen persons
were present. Mr. Bradley exhibited plates of Evaniidae show-
ing the various anatomical characters including neuration.
Characters separating genera and species were shown and ex-
plained. Mr. Bradley also spoke of his last summer's trip to
the Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia. Many insects of
interest were taken although little of the material has as yet
been studied. Some pictures of the scenery of the locality
were shown. He said at 6,000 ft. altitude a Leptid was found
which bit. Dr. Skinner exhibited some photos of dragon-fly
wings and said they had been photographed against the light
with a ground-glass background. This method showed the
neuration in a satisfactory manner. It is a good method where
the wings are to be enlarged and not removed from the body.
Mr. Bradley said at Cornell University the wings were removed
184 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
and photographed, then the wings were kept separately and
mounted on glass. Mr. Rehn exhibited a box of Orthoptera
from L/abuan, British North Borneo, a small island, to show
diversity. He also made some remarks on the genus Trimero-
tropis. A large amount of material from the west had been
studied. The color characters used by McNeill in his revision
were not considered of very great importance for specific deter-
mination. The intergradational color patterns were illustrated
by black-board sketches.
Dr. Calvert showed a series of tropical dragon-flies, Erythro-
diplax connata , showing various color phases. Specimens with
a red frons and others with a blue frons, described as different
species, were shown by intergradations to be the same thing.
Mr. Howard A. Snyder said, in October he had spent a few
weeks in the Bermuda Islands but did not find any insects not
found in the United States, probably on account of the near-
ness of the islands. The character of the climate and flora
was mentioned and the insects taken exhibited. Dr. Calvert
mentioned VerrilPs work on the islands.
HENRY SKINNER, Recorder.
A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia was held March 22, 1906, Mr.
Philip Laurent, Director, presiding. Ten persons were pres-
ent, including Mr. W. M. Beutenmuller, of New York, visitor.
The latter presented two hundred specimens of Coleoptera
taken in the Black Mts. , North Carolina. Mr. Beutenmuller
spoke of the necessity of protecting valuable collections from
fire, and gave a diagram of the plan for protecting the insect
department of the American Museum of Natural History in
New York. Mr. Rehn said he had recently determined some
Tonkin Orthoptera for Mr. Chas. Schaeffer of the Brooklyn
Institute. A fine walking-stick and four katydids were new.
HENRY SKINNER, Recorder.
A meeting of the American Entomological Society was held
December 28, 1905, Dr. P. P. Calvert, President, in the chair.
Twelve persons were present. The report of the Treasurer
May, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 185
was read, in which he stated there was a balance on hand of
$1,262.97. Mr. E. T. Cresson, Jr., was elected a member.
The following were elected officers to serve for the coming
year: President, Philip P. Calvert ; Vice-President, H. \V.
Wenzel ; Treasurer, E. T. Cresson ; Recording Secretary,
Henry Skinner ; Corres. Secty., Frank Haimbach ; Curator,
Henry Skinner : Librarian, E. T. Cresson, Jr. Publication
Committee : E. T. Cresson, C. F. Seiss, B. H. Smith. Execu-
tive Committee : P. Laurent, H. W. Wenzel, Frank Haim-
bach. Finance Committee: J. W. McAllister, C. S. Welles,
D. M. Castle. HENRY SKINNER, Secretary.
A meeting of the American Entomological Society was held
Feb. 15, 1906, Mr. H. W. Wenzel, Vice- Director, presiding.
Nine persons were present. The annual report of the Curator
was read. Mr. Laurent said he had first used chip fruit bas-
kets for shipping insects about fifteen years ago, and spoke of
their value for this purpose. Since that time they had been
used more or less by entomologists.
HENRY SKINNER, Secretary.
At the meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social, held Feb-
ruary 26, 1906, at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523
So. 1 3th St., Philadelphia. Eight persons were present. Mr.
Carl Schaeffer, visitor. A letter from Dr. Dyar was read, in
which he states that Pamphila manataaqua and cernes are con-
generic. Mr. H. Wenzel read a very interesting note on
Omus from a letter which he had received from Mr. Ralph
Hopping, of Kaweah, Calif. The writer says " I take O. in-
tcrmedius in one place only (Colony Road, Tulare Co., Calif.),
3,500 to 4,500 ft. ; O. sublaevis in pine forest, 5,000 to 7,000
ft. The smooth form O. laevis occurs 8,000 to 10,000 ft. in
my locality, but I have never had the luck to find it. Dr.
Walther Horn's elevations for this form are incorrect. The
collector unintentionally misinformed him. I went to a great
deal of trouble to prove these elevations. The collector suit
me a map marking the exact location, and from my intimate
knowledge of the trails in the Sierras I was able to place the
186 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '06
exact locations." Mr. Huntington spoke about photography
as it was applied by the Canadian Government in surveying the
Rocky Mountains of Canada. Mr. Schaeffer spoke of the dif-
ficulty of collecting Cicindela santadarce on the plains at Pal-
merlee, Ariz. Mr. Schaffer exhibited some species of the
genus Anomala, among them being four entirely new and four
being new to North America ; one species being from Lower
California, two from Texas and others from Arizona.
F. HAIMBACH, Secretary.
A meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social was held March
21, '06, at the residence of Mr. Henry W. Wenzel, 15238. i3th
St., Philadelphia, Mr. Erich Daecke, President, in the chair.
Members present : Daecke, Wenzel, Laurent, A. Hoyer,
Seiss, Harbeck, Castle and Skinner. Mr. Wm. Beutenmuller,
New York, visitor. The minutes of the last meeting were
read and approved. Mr. Wenzel said he had received a num-
ber of postals from our fellow-member, Prof. J. B. Smith, who
is abroad. Mr. Beutenmuller said he had collected a number
of Staphylinidse during trips to the mountains of North Caro-
lina in the last five years. Nine species of Oxyporus were
taken. Femoralis and 'major were common . The other species
found were stygicus, vittahis, fasdatus, bicolor, lateralis, Icpidns
5-macnlatus. They were all taken in the fall except stygicus,
which was found in May. Dr. Castle said he had found O.
major plentiful at Angora, Pa., in the fall. On March loth,
Mr. Harbeck said he took five species of diptera, seventeen
specimens, at Germantown, Phila., \nc\\iA.\-&%Fucelliafucorum,
which only appeared while the sun was shining. Mr. Wenzel
exhibited a pair of Strataegns spkndens from Tybee Island,
Ga. , taken by H. A. Wenzel. Mr. Daecke reported having
been out collecting on March nth, and took a dipterous larva
feeding on spider eggs and some other hibernating images
and larvae. In a small spot protected from the cold, he took
some insects on wild honeysuckle. In a box of farina he found
an imago and many larvae of Ephcstia kuehniella.
Dr. Skinner invited the Social to meet at his home at the
next meeting (April). HENRY SKINNER, Recorder pro ton.
THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE WEST COAST
BY w. G. WRIGHT, OF CALIFORNIA.
Who for twenty years has been gathering matt-rial for this work. The hook is S x 10
inches in size of pu.ne, contains 260 pa.nt-s "I text, and 32 plates in the ht-st <>l
photography, containing nearly a thousand figures, photographed dirt, i 'he
insects themselves and reproduced in all their natural o.ilors, and includes either in
the description or plates, or both, every species kn<>\\ n on the West Coast.
A HANDBOOK FOR STUDENTS AND A
REFERENCE BOOK FOR LIBRARIES.
The species, from Parnassius to Megathymus, 4*3 names, are all figured-, numbered,
and described consecutively. Usually three figures an- given of each spei ies the
male, the female and the underside — but of some variable or disputed forms additional
figures are added, and of common species only one figure is given. Similar fonn> are
placed on the plates as near together as possible to facilitate compari-i in.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF MANY WEST COAST
BUTTERFLIES NEVER BEFORE FIGURED
Sent by registered post prepaid to any country on receipt of price, 14.35, by
the author. The colored plates with all the figures named, but no text, are for
sale, singly, or in sets.
W. G. WRIGHT, 445 F. ST., SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
ILLUSTRATIONS OF
DIURNAL LEPIDOPTERA
WITH DESCRIPTIONS
BY ANDREW GRAY WEEKS, JR., 190$
117 pages and 45 colored plates, by J. Henry Blake, ad. nat.,
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The plates cover all species described and represent the limit
of perfection in lithographic art, being considered equal to, or
superior to, any previous productions. $15.00 postage paid.
H. PECK, AGENT, 8 CONGRESS STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
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JUNE, 1906.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
Vol. XVII.
No. 6.
Limnophila aspidoptera Coquillett.
EDITOR :
HENRY SKINNER, M. D.
PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D., Associate Editor.
EZRA T. CRESSON.
PHILIP LAURENT.
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COLEOPTERA
Revision of the Ptinidae of Boreal America, by H. C. Fall. 200 pp., i pi
(Trans., 1905) $2.OO
HYIVEENOPTERA
Notes on Some Bees in the British Museum, by T. D. A. Cockerell.
56 pp. (Trans., 1905) 5O
Synopsis of Euceridae, Emphoridae and Anthophoridae. by Charles Rob-
ertson. 8 pp. (Trans , 1905) 1O
Descriptions of new species of Neotropical Hvmenoptera ; Descriptions
of four new species of Odynerus from Mexico, by P. Cameron 19
pp. (Trans., 1905) .20
APTERA
A Revision of the Mouth-parts of the Corrodentia and the Mallophaga,
by R. E, Snodgrass. n pp., i pi. (Trans. 1905) .10
MAILED ON RECEIPT OF PRICE
E. T. CRESSON, Treasurer,
P. O. Box 248, Philadelphia, Pa,
When Writing Please Mention "Entomological Mews."
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. XVII. JUNE, 1906. No. 6.
CONTENTS:
Wright— Ruins of the Academy of Sci-
ences, San Francisco 187
Taylor— On some ne\v species of Geo-
metrid moths from Arizona and
California 188
Caudell— Autolyca doylei, a new Phas-
rnid from So. America 192
Sanderson— Texas Notes— 1 210
Weber — Notes on mosquitoes 214
Skinner— A new Cantharis 217
Tower — A new method of preparing
wings and other parts of insects
for study
Cockerell— A n ew Sawflv . 220
Banks— A rock-boring mite 193 Editorial 221
\\'->-ks — Xe\\ species of butterflies 195 ' Notes and News 222
l'< r^unde,— Description of two new
genera and three new species of
Aphididae •. 205
Doings of Societies 226
Obituary — Mr. Roland Hayward 230
Ruins of the Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Gal.
BY W. G. WRIGHT.
(Plate IX)
This view was taken during a rainstorm after the fire of
April 18, 1906, and is more of a side view than a front view.
The street along which men are walking is Market Street.
The main entrance to the Academy is the arched opening
under the left electric light.
The most of the front of the building is fallen down, but
some three or four windows of the front part are shown in the
photo.
The Museum Building is at the left, the walls mostly stand-
ing nearly intact, but it is licked clean by fire, inside, and
probably is unfit for rebuilding.
The space in front of, or at the right of the Museum Build-
ing, and between it and Market Street, was occupied by fine
stores on the ground floor, and by suites of offices in the upper
stories ; from the rental of these stores and offices the Academy
received its chief income.
187
i88 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
On some New Species of Geometrid Moths from
Arizona and California.
BY GEORGE W. TAYLOR, Wellington, B. C.
The forms, described in the present paper, are all of them
apparently new to science. The first named is in the collection
of the United States National Museum, and for the privilege
of examining and describing it I have to thank Dr. Harrison
G. Dyar. The other forms described are all in my own cabinet.
1. Melemaca virgata n. sp.
This is a very beautiful insect which I thought at first might be M. mag-
dalena Hulst, but the arrangement of the lines on the fore-wings is not
the same, and Dr. Dyar, who has kindly sent me a rough sketch of the
type of magdalena, assures me that it is not that species. Front and
thorax pale yellow, palpi a little darker. Ground color of wings orange
yellow. Fore-wings with two bands or stripes, one (outer) running from
the apex of the wing to the middle of the inner margin, and the other (sub-
costal) from the junction veins 7 and 8 to the base of the wing. The color
of the first-named stripe is olive greenish, bordered with a narrow deep
red line on the inner side and by a conspicuous white stripe on the outer
side. Towards the apex of the wing the red line becomes much wider
and the olive line narrower. The subcostal stripe is bordered below by
a red line and above by a white band, which is followed by a red stripe,
the costa itself being of the ground color of the wing. The submargina]
space is orange, becoming red at the tornus ; fringe pale yellow. The
hind-wings are pale orange, the color deepening from base outwardly
until a reddish line is formed running in a regular curve from the apical
angle to the middle of the inner margin. This is followed by a paler
shade, and again towards the margin the color deepens. Fringe paler
as on the fore-wings. Beneath, the color is paler, the lines of the fore-
wings are reproduced faintly and the extreme apex is bright red. The
hind-wings are quite pale. No discal points visible either above or below.
Expanse 28 mm.
Type. — One 1 . Huachuca Mts., Arizona, July 16-23. In
U. S. Nat. Museum.
2. Hydriomena multipnnctata n. sp.
Palpi rather large and stout, black on outside, grey on inner side and at
tip. Front dark grey. Thorax concolorous with fore-wings. Fore-wing
with costa almost straight for three-fourths of its length, then sharply
curved so as to make a right angle with the outer margin. Color of fore-
wing light fawn. In the central area the ground color is overlaid with a
smoky shade, forming a band across the wing but not limited by lines.
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 189
All veins dotted with alternate white and dark brown dots as in the sub-
marginal area of fore-wing in Zenophleps lignicolorata. A dark brown
discal dot and faint indications of two or three parallel lines in the central
band. A marginal row of black dots, one dot on each side of each vein,
fringe concolorous with wing. Hind wings smoky grey, darker outwardly.
In the submarginal area the veins are dotted as in the fore-wings. A
small brown discal dot and marginal black dots as on the fore-wings.
Under surface of all wings darkened with smoke color, and on the outer
third the veins are dotted as above. The marginal black dots are also
reproduced. Expanse 37 mm.
Described from one $ . Mountains near Claremont, Cali-
fornia. Collected by Prof. C. F. Baker, who has generously
placed the specimen in my collection.
This species has a slight resemblance at first sight to Zeno-
phleps lignicolorata, but it may be at once distinguished by the
thickened and flattened antenna of the male. In Zenophleps
the antennae of the males are pectinated.
There is not any other North American Geometer known to
me to which H. multipunctata bears any near resemblance.
3. Hydriomena maguificata n. sp.
This is a species somewhat resembling Hydriomena speciosata
Packard but very much larger. The type specimen has an
expanse of 45 mm., while speciosata ranges from 35 to 40 mm.
The prevailing colors are black and green, but in the type
( which has been relaxed) the green tints have faded, as such
tints generally do, to a light clay color.
Palpi long, porrect, green, with spots of black, the extreme tip green.
Front green. Thorax green with black spots at sides and a conspicuous
black dorsal spot. Abdomen silky grey with black dorsal spots on the
posterior segments, the base of the terminal tuft being also conspicuously
black. The fore-wings green with black blotches, which appear to be .
parts of six broken transverse lines. The extreme base of the wing is also
black. The first three lines are intradiscal and are separate and con-
spicuous on the costa, but are united with an irregularly-shaped blackish
blotch, enclosing a green spot, on the inner margin. The fourth line is
extradiscal and is marked by about five narrow black blotches on the
veins. It does not reach the inner margin. The fifth line is in the sub-
marginal space and consists of a square black blotch on the costa, a much
larger one between veins 6 and 4 and a third extending irregularly from
vein 3 to the outer angle of the wing. The sixth line forms an irregular
margin to the wing. The fringe is pale outwardly, darker at base and
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
cut with distinct black pencils of scales at end of veins, a few white scales
being on each side of the pencils of black ones. The hind-wings are clear
grey with a few dark marginal cloudings ; fringe pale, slightly marked
with black at ends of veins. Beneath, the markings of the upper surface
are rather distinctly reflected.
Described from one $ . Cochise Co., Arizona, March 4th.
It is possible that this very handsome species may be in
some collections as speciosata Packard, but the true speciosata
is, as pointed out above, not nearly so large and has moreover
an unspotted thorax and abdomen, and lacks the reflected
markings on the under side of the primaries.
4. Macaria quadriiasciata n. sp.
Male antennce dentate fasciculate, more like Philobia than Macaria.
Palpi and front dark yellow ochre. Wings, thorax and abdomen pale
yellowish fawn, rather thickly covered with specks of a darker tint.
Fore-wing crossed by four lines. The basal curved out from costa then
straight to inner margin. Intra- and extra-discal lines are parallel to each
other and to the basal line. The distance between the basal and intra-
discal is only half as great as that between the intra- and extra-discal lines.
The submarginal line is quite straight, running from costa about i mm.
from apex to the internal angle. Hind wings with three lines (basal ob-
solete), no discal spot, fringe concolorous with wings. Beneath, all the
markings are reproduced lines rather diffuse ; the extreme margin of
wings marked by fine black points between the veins. Expanse 32 mm.
Described from one $ . Cochise Co., Arizona, July 8, 1904.
The type was badly broken in a trip to Washington and back,
but the species seems so distinct that I venture to describe the
fragments.
The type specimen has lost the hind tibia, I cannot therefore
be quite sure that the species belongs to Macaria. I think,
however, that I am right in so placing it.
5. Enemera simularia n. sp.
Expanse 38 mm.
This moth is smaller than Californian or British Columbian
specimens of E. juturnaria, but about the same size as speci-
mens of that species from Arizona.
It is very similar to juturnaria on the upper side, the main
difference being in the single extradiscal line. In jutunuiria
this line leaves the costa at about two-thirds distance from
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
base. It curves regularly outward, being most distant from
base at vein 4, thence it curves inward to the inner margin.
In sinndaria this line commences almost exactly in the mid-
dle of the costa proceeding towards the centre of the outer
margin in an almost straight line to vein 5, then turning at an
obtuse angle and running in a straight line to the inner margin.
On the under side the difference is greater. An extradis-
cal line divides each wing into two parts. The outer half of
each wing is very dark — on the hind wings nearly black.
The course of the extradiscal line on the hind wings is
peculiar. The ends of the line are not at the middle of the
costa and the middle of the inner margin. From each end the
lines curves regularly towards outer margin, forming an acute
angle on vein 5, recalling the median line on the underside of
secondaries in Cccnocalpe annellata or Marmopteryx tnarmorata.
Types i 9 and i £ in poor condition. Pasadena, Califor-
nia. Mr. F. Grinnell, July 22 and 29, 1903.
6. Eupithecia helena n. sp.
Palpi long and bush}', white, with a few black scales, tip black.
Front, head and thorax dull white, with slight ochre tint. Abdomen
same color, but with rather more of the ochre tint on the anterior
segments ; the last two segments greyish. Dorsal tufts small, black.
Fore wings dull white, overlaid with brownish scales. Basal area
blackish. Basal line double. Intradiscal line double, distinct on
costa, faint across the wing, regularly curved, parallel with basal line.
The space between basal and intradiscal lines is occupied by a broad,
rusty brown, regularly curved band. Extradiscal lines double, white,
wavy, very conspicuous on the costa, divided by a fine brown line ; the
inner white line is marked on inner side on each vein by a black dot.
The course of these extradiscal lines is straight from the costa to vein 7,
then evenly rounded out to vein 2, then in 2 or 3 scallops to the inner
margin. Discal spots large rusty brown. Beyond the extradiscal line
there is a rusty brown band which is almost continuous from costa to the
inner margin. This is bounded by a distinct, white, wavy, submarginnl
line. The marginal space is dark grey. Marginal line distinct, black,
hardly interrupted at the veins. Fringe long, color of the wings, marked
at base with faint brown spots. Hind wings, color of fore wings, crossed
by 7 or 8 dusky grey indistinct lines. The outermost being the most
prominent. A submarginal white line and a marginal black one as on
fore wings. Discal spot lengthened, blackish. Beneath, white, with
indications of all the lines as alone. The rusty br< \\n bands of the upper
side show as dark grey bands below, and there is in addition a rather
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
conspicuous dark grey line marking the inner edge of the extradiscal
lines. In the hind wings there are two extradiscal dark grey bands, the
other lines being represented by faint indications only. Discal spots on
all wings black, diffuse ; marginal lines black, very distinct. Legs greyish
white, the anterior pair banded with black, posterior pair wanting. Ex-
panse 26 mm.
Type. — One specimen from Final Mountains, Arizona, July
9, 1900.
In coloring this species recalls E. nevadata Packard, but in
the present species the large costal blotch over the discal spot
which is so conspicuous in nevadata and its allies is wanting.
The wings in helena are also much rounder, the outer margins
being very full. In the shape of the wings and the arrange-
ment of the markings, but not in color, this species rather
nearly agrees with E. togata (Hu'bner) of Europe.
Autolyca doylei, a new Phasmid from So. America.
BY A. N. CAUDELL, Washington, D. C.
Male. — Elongate, black, not shining, unarmed ; the entire insect, inclu-
ding the legs and antennae, covered with inconspicuous, fine, short black
hairs. Head as broad as long, the posterior half of the top and sides
yellowish ; antennae black, longer than the body. Pronotum about one-
fourth longer than broad ; mesonotum about one and one-half times as
long as the pronotum and but slightly longer than the metanotum, inclu-
ding the intermediary segment, which is not quite as long as the metano-
tum proper. Abdomen apically much swollen and, in the only specimen
seen, curved strongly upward ; segments 1-6 quadrate or barely elongate,
the three terminal segments transverse ; the scoop shaped ventral pro-
cess of the seventh segment is broad and reaches to the tip of the abdo-
men ; cerci stout, clavate and incurved, as long as the terminal segment
of the abdomen and descending from beneath that segment at nearly
right angles. Legs black, except the ventral surface of the tarsi, which
is yellowish brown ; anterior femora not noticeably curved at the base ;
all the tibiae areolate below and slightly longer than their respective
femora and not quite twice as long as their tarsi ; all the femora, as well
as the tibiae, dully and inconspicuously carinate, the posterior femora
reaching nearly to the apex of the sixth abdominal segment. Length : —
pronotum, 4 mm. ; mesonotum, 5.5 mm. ; metanotum, including the
intermediate segment, 5 mm. ; anterior femora, 13 mm. ; intermediate
femora, 10.5 mm.; posterior femora. 15 mm.; width, head, 3.5 mm.; pro-
notum, 3.5 mm. ; basal segment of the abdomen, 3 mm.; apical segment
of the abdomen, 4.25 mm.
June, 'o6j ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 193
Type No. 9629, U. S. Nat. Mus.
One male, taken by C. B. Doyle, at an altitude of 2950
meters at Tierra Adentro, Central Cordillera, Dept. of Cauca,
Colombia, South America, headwaters of the Palo River, in
January, 1906.
This interesting insect, which is named after the collector,
is easily distinguished from the other members of the genus by
the elongate form and especially by the coloration of the head.
A Rock-boring Mite.
BY NATHAN BANKS.
In the fall of 1904, Prof. J. H. Comstock sent me some
pieces of rocks taken from a limestone cliff that is moistened
by the fall of water. The surface contained numerous small
cavities or pits of varying sizes. Most of them had a narrowed
orifice, and within each pit was found a mite, approximately
of the size of the pit. Although, of course, a mite of such
habits must be called " petrophagus " I have no idea that rock
forms any part of its diet. The surface of the stone to a short
depth is somewhat softened, doubtless by the action of the
water, and it is probable that in the minute holes and passages
of this softened area there is growing some tiny plant-organism
that forms the food of this cave-digging mite. From all
appearances the cavities are caused by the mite, and increase
in size with the growth of the acarian. Possibly the mite has
some secretion that aids in the destruction of the stone.
Remarkable as are the habits of this mite, its structure, save
that it belongs to a rather peculiar genus, is not exceptional.
This habit is the necessary consequence of the conditions of its
existence, for if the mite should try to live free on the surface
of the rock it would be washed away by storms. To escape,
therefore, the ravages of the elements it takes to the cyclone
cellar. Migration must be performed over the surface of the
stone, but it is probable that the young issue at a season when
the stone is not subject to heavy storms.
On microscopic examination the mite is seen to belong to
the family Oribatidee, or beetle-mites, and to the genus Scnlo-
vertcx of Michael. We have, at least, one other species of this
194
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[June, '06
genus in our country, the 5". marinus Banks, that occurs on
the surface of boulders between tide-marks along the Long
Island shore. 5". marinus is usually found in small depres-
sions of the stone, but forms no cavities ; and when the tide is
out one can find a few wandering over the rock. Four species
of Scutovertex are known in England, one was found in moss ;
one on lichen near the seashore, and two on algae in fresh-
water pools near the seashore. Michael has described a spe-
cies as taken from marine algae at Terra del Fuego.
The new species I describe as follows :
Scutovertex petrophagus n. sp.
Rather uniform dark brown, a pale spot on middle of base of abdomen
above. Body moderately elongate, roughened above ; median area of
cephalothorax with transverse ridges. Pseudostigmatic organs short>
clavate. A ribbed
lamella-like area
around base of ab-
domen. Abdomen
above with scatter-
ed rugosities and 3
more or less defi-
nite stripes of inter
laced ridges; at api-
cal margin with 4
short, subequal stiff
bristles each side.
Fig. 2.— Venter.
The legs are rather
long and heavy, the femora obliquely
roughened above near tips, and also on
the trochanters ; tarsi very short, and
more hairy than other joints, but one claw
to each leg. Venter finely and irregularly
Fig. i.— At -iitni't •> trx />e/rophag!/s.
Fig. 3. — Tarsus and claw.
rugose, the coverings of the apertures being longitudinally rugose. The
genital opening is about as broad as long, and scarcely its length in front
of the larger and more elongate anal opening. The immature sta-cs
have a transversely corrugate dorsum. Length 4 mm.
Inhabits cavities in the surface of wet rock. Traghauic
Falls, near Ithaca, N. Y. This genus is best separated from
Carabodes by the fact that the tibiae of legs are not pedicellate.
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. IQ5
New Species of Butterflies.
BY ANDREW GRAY WEEKS.
Ecesia klagesii sp. nov. Expanse 2.10 inches. — Head above black,
with a white dot above each eye and one betwixt the bases of the an-
tennae. Antennae black. Club black above, beneath brown, witli tawuv
tip. Thorax and abdomen black or very dark brown above, beneath
tawny brown.
Upper side of fore wing tawny brown, with black markings. Costa
black. Half way up the costa a black band runs downward, across the
end of the discoidal space to the first submedian nervule, where it suffu-
ses toward hind margin. Beyond this, on apical side, is an area of
ground color of the same width. The apical area, representing one-
fourth of the total wing area, is black, with a tawny brown dash in its
central portion. In some specimens, owing to lack of any suffusion, this
dash may be called a well defined spot. The hind margin is bordered
with black from apex down to the second submedian nervule, and in
some specimens this extends to lower angle. The inner marginal area is
dashed with black. The median nervure is heavily black from the base
up to the second submedian nervule.
Upper side of lower wing tawny brown, with black markings. A black
line one-sixteenth of an inch wide extends from the base of the wing
along the costa nearly to the upper angle. The hind margin is slightly
dentated or wavy, and has a black border one-sixteenth of an inch wide,
broadening somewhat toward anal angle. From the inner margin near
the base of the wing a line of interspacial black spots extends across the
wing, curving upward to the upper angle. These are, in some specimens,
quite indistinct, owing to being dusted with tawny scales.
Under side of fore wing is governed by the markings of the upper sur-
face. The black portions are not so dense and suffused into the ground
color. The band of ground color running from costa to hind margin is
more yellow, and the apical area is tawny brown. At the apex is a patch
of dull yellow, crossed by a dark line which extends down to the lower
angle one-sixteenth of an inch within the hind margin.
On the under side of the hind wing, the black line noted on the upper
surface, is repeated. Below this, the area to the row of black spots is dull
yellow. Below this spot the area to the black marginal border is light
tawny. In the black hind marginal border is a wavy line extending from
the anal angle through four interspaces.
Hab. — Snapure, Venezuela.
Variations. — The chief variations are due to the suffusing of
the ground color on the black portion or vice versa. While
some specimens are more or less suffused, thus have the mark-
ings distinctly outlined, I have one specimen in which the
196 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
row of black spots on lower wing is totally wanting on the
upper surface, although it is slightly in evidence on the under
surface. This species could not be found in the large collec-
tions of this country, nor the British Museum, nor has any
description by a previous author been brought to light.
Ithomia hamlini sp. nov. Expanse 2 inches. — Head black, with a yel-
low dot behind the eyes, also one between the antennae. Eyes surroun-
ded by a yellow thread. Antennae dark brown, merging to light brown
towards club. Club black, with brown tip, Thorax above black, with a
yellow collar and a yellow spot at junction of each costa ; beneath, lemon
yellow. Abdomen above black ; beneath, lemon yellow. Legs black.
Upper side of fore wing mostly transparent, marked wkh brownish
black and yellowish transparent areas. Costa black, edged with brown
along discoidal space. Discoidal space transparent, with a yellowish
tinge. From the base of wing a dark club-shaped dash extends upward
to centre of discoidal space. From the centre of costa a broad brownish
black band extends downwards across the end of discoidal space, termi-
nating at hind margin just above the lower angle ; the nervures and ner-
vules in this band are black. Outside of this band is a broad transparent
area, heavily dusted with lemon-yellow scales near costa. The apical
area and hind marginal area are brownish .black, with a slight suggestion
of lighter spots in the interspaces near margin. The median nervure is
brown. The inner marginal area below the median nervure is brown
suffusing to dense black toward inner margin.
The upper side of hind wing has the same colors. The hind mar-
gin is bordered with a sixteenth of an inch brownish black border,
bearing suggestions of lighter spots in interspaces. Inside of this, toward
the base of the wing, is a band of brown extending from the upper angle
downward, and swinging across the wing to the anal angle parallel to
hind margin. Still nearer the base, bordering this brown band, a darker
band runs across the wing horizontally, turning upward to the costa well
outside the discoidal space. The discoidal space and the area surround-
ing it is transparent, slightly dusted with brown scales. The nervures
and nervules are brown.
The under side of both wings is the same as upper surface, except that
the interspacial light spots along the hind margins are more distinct, be-
ing very prominent on the lower wing.
Hab. — Suapure, Venezuela.
Variations. — The sixty specimens in my collection show no
variation in size. The markings are identical in shape and
location, but show considerable variation in their density and
tendency to suffusion. The typical specimen above described
is a fair average.
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
Thecla madie sp. nov. Expanse i.io inches. Female. — Head, palpi,
thorax and abdomen above, dark mouse color ; beneath, light mouse
color. Antennae black, with white annulation at base of each joint. Club
black, with tawny tip. Legs light mouse color, with white annulations
Upper side of fore wing dark mouse color. The basal area slightly blue.
Upper side of hind wing dark mouse color. Basal area light blue,
dusted with mouse colored scales, shading off to mouse color toward
upper angle and hind margin. From the lower submedian nervule, ex-
tends a delicate tail one-eighth of an inch long, tipped with white, and
above it a similar but shorter tail extending from the submedian nervule.
From anal angle a delicate white thread, following contour of hind margin,
extends toward upper angle, disappearing almost midway. At anal an-
gle is a tawny dot. Inner margin light gray.
Under side of fore wing light mouse color. A conspicuous dark line
bordered with a white thread on outer side extends downwards from near
costa to submedian nervule. The hind marginal area, for one-sixteenth
of an inch inward, is somewhat lighter than ground color, and has sugges-
tion of darker half circles in the interspaces. The inner margin is lighter
than ground color, gradually shading into it.
Under side of hind wing light mouse color. A dark line, dusted with
tawny and bordered by a white thread on its outer side, extends from
centre of costa to centre of second submedian nervule, then turning up-
wards to centre of inner margin. This line is jagged, with angles in each
interspace, and forms a continuation of the line on the fore wing, but
more fully developed. There is a tawny spot at anal angle, blackish at
angle. In interspaces, between the two tails, is another spot of lighter
shade. The white marginal thread of the upper surface is repeated. The
light hind marginal area of under side of fore wing is continued on hind
wing.
The hind margins have a slight fringe of the ground color.
Hab. — Suapure, Venezuela.
This species could not be found in the larger collections in
this country, nor in the collection of Druce, the British Mus-
eum, etc. It resembles T. dcon Fabr.
Thecla carter! sp. nov. Expanse .80 inch.— Head, thorax and abdo-
men nearly black above, with a few light blue hairs. Beneath, gray.
Palpi white. Antennae black, with indistinct white annulations at base of
each joint. Club above, black ; below, tawny. Legs gray.
Upper side of fore wing nearly black. The space within a line drawn
from a point on inner margin just inside lower angle up to centre of nit"
dian nervure and thence to base, is light blue.
Upper side of hind wing light blue at base, nearly white as it approaches
costa and hind margin. There is a blackish border along costa, extend-
ing half way down hind margin. At end of submedian nervule is a deli-
198 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
cate thread-like tail, one-eighth of an inch long, tipped with white. Hind
margin has a delicate gray fringe. The edge of hind margin has a fine
whitish line, inside of which is a black thread* The submedian interspa-
ces show the dark interspacial markings of the under side. Inner margin
white.
Under side of fore wing grayish white, dusted with brown towards
base. One-sixteenth of an inch within hind margin is a wavy line of
blackish brown extending down to inner margin. The space between
this and the margin is light gray, with prominent interspacial triangular
spots of blackish brown, one-sixteenth of an inch within this line is
another line extending from costa down to second submedian nervule,
the intermediate space being nearly white. There is another similar line
running across the end of the discoidal space only. From this line the
dusting of darker color increases towards the base.
Under side of hind wing the same ground color. At centre of costa is
a lunule, brown on its outer edge, white within with a black spot at its
centre. From upper angle a brown line extends straight across the wing
to the centre of the inner margin. Outside of this is a space one-sixteenth
of an inch wide, of light gray. Outside of this, the area to hind margin
is dark brown, broken by a series of interspacial lighter brown semicircles
near the margin, the interior portion these semicircles being nearly black.
The hind margins have a thread of white.
Hab. — Suapure, Venezuela.
This species is nearly identical with T. argiva Hew., which
has no tails. It is also near T. tadita Hew., which is in the
Hewitson collection.
Thecla hosmeri sp. nov. Expanse .95 inch. — Head, thorax, abdomen
above, black. Below gray. Palpi gray. Antenna- black, with micro-
scopic white annulations at base of each joint. Club black.
Upper side of hind wing black, with slaty lustre. At the end of subme-
dian nervule is a short thread-like tail. Below this, at end of second sub-
median nervule. is another longer tail, both black, with a white tip.
Under side of fore wing brownish slate color. From a point on costa,
two-thirds distance to apex, runs a brick-red line, bordered on its outer
edge with a white thread, down to submedian nervule.
Under side of hind wing brownish slate color. The brick-red line of
fore wing is continued running downwards parallel to hind margin and
meeting inner margin just above the anal angle. In the four lower inter-
spaces this line becomes jagged, forming a series of semicircles. Outside
of the first two of these semicircles are patches of brick red, the lower one
having a black point on its lower edge. At the angle is another brick-red
patch or spot, smaller than the others, with a black point on its lower
edge. Just within the hind margin, running from anal angle to the me-
dian nervure is a white thread.
Wings have a slight fringe of the ground color.
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 199
Hab. — Suapure, Venezuela.
This species is closely allied to T. pisis Godm. and to T.
gargophia. Described from six specimens in my collection.
Euselasia tysoni sp. nov. Expanse i inch.— Head, thorax and abdo-
men above, mouse color. Below, gray. Palpi white. Antennae mouse
color, with minute white annulations at base of each joint. Club black,
with whitish suffusion at base. Legs light tawny brown.
Upper side of fore wing mouse color.
Upper side of hind wing mouse color. Hind margin strongly dentated.
At end of submedian nervule is a slight tawny spot.
Under side of fore wing light tawny brown. From a point just beyond
centre of costa runs a tawny line across end of discoidal space, down to
lower submedian nervule. Hind margin bordered with tawny, with a
suggestion of a white thread. From a point on inner margin one-six-
teenth of an inch from lower angle runs a black thread or dash upwards
to submedian nervule. The space between this and hind margin is
whitish near the angle.
Under side of hind wing light tawny brown. Hind margin bordered
with tawny, with a white thread in interspaces. Within this tawny bor-
der, near base, is a series of silvery-white elongated spots forming a
prominent marginal border. The inner side of these spots is lined with
black. The tawny line near centre of fore wing is continued, being par-
allel with hind margin and curving upward to centre of inner margin.
Hab. — Suapure, Venezuela.
There is one specimen of this in the Druce collection, but
unexamined.
•
Charts Suapure sp. nov. Expanse .95 inch. — Head, antenna-, thorax
and abdomen above blackish brown. Beneath, somewhat lighter. Legs
the same.
Upper side of fore wing dark blackish brown. In discoidal space, near
base, is a blackish spot, repeated in space below. Beyond this is another
similar spot in the discoidal space, repeated and somewhat larger in sub-
median space below. Beyond this is a third spot in the discoidal space,
but this last is not repeated in space below. Outside of this spot is a
broad blackish line of connecting interspacial spots from costa across the
end of discoidal space, turning at median nervure and running parallel to
hind margin down to inner margin, near the center of the winy area. Be-
yond this is an area of the ground color and then a prominent orange line
or band running from a point just above the centre of costa towards hind
margin, turning at median nervure and running down to inner margin
one-sixteenth of an inch in from hind margin, forming nearly a semicircle
This line, the prominent feature of the markings, is broader at costa and
terminates in a point at inner margin. The apical area, outside of this
200 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Qune, '06
and the hind marginal area, is the same color as the disdoidal spot,
blackish.
Upper side of hind wing is the same, except that the spots suffuse,
nearly forming a band. The orange band of fore wing is continued, but
narrower, extending from upper angle to anal angle parallel to hind mar-
gin. The inner margin is of the ground color.
The wings have a slight fringe of the ground color.
The markings of the under side of both wings are similar to those of the
upper surface, although slightly lighter.
•
Hab. — Suapure, Venezuela.
This species resembles C. avcias Hew.
Methonella carveri sp. nov. Expanse 1.50 inches. Male. — Head black.
Antenme black. Club black, with brown tip. Thorax above black, with
yellow hairs at base of wings ; beneath, orange. Abdomen above
black ; beneath, orange. Legs black.
Upper side of fore wing orange, black and yellow. Costa black. The
basal area within a line drawn from near centre of costa diagonally across
the discoidal space to a point one-quarter of an inch within the margin,
thence downwards parallel to hind margin to inner margin is orange.
The apical and hind marginal areas, outside this line, are black. In the
centre of the black apical area, running from costa diagonally across it
nearly to hind margin is a yellow band. Below the end of this, in the
margin area, is a yellow spot, with a suggestion of a smaller one below
it. Inner margin orange.
The upper side of hind wing is of the same orange. Costa orange.
From the base a black dash extends upwards a quarter inch along costa.
The hind margin has a broad black border, dentated on its basal side.
Within this border are a series of interspacial yellow spots. Inner mar-
gin orange.
Under side of both wings the same as upper surface, except that the
coloring is not so brilliant.
Female. — Upper surface of both wings the same as male, excepting a
fuller development of the markings. The yellow band of fore wing ex-
tends or curves downwards to near inner margin, forming almost a semi-
circle. There is also a white spot on margin at apex. The yellow spots
of marginal area of hind wing are much more prominent, and a white dot
appears on the margin at the end of each nervule.
Under surface of both wings the same as upper surface, except less
brilliant.
Hab. — Suapure, Venezuela.
Taken in April, 1899. Not in British Museum, or other
large collections.
June' ,06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 2OI
Nymphidiuiu quinoni sp. nov. Expanse 1.30 inches. — Head and thorax
above, dark brown ; beneath, white. Abdomen above, brown, slightly
lighter than thorax ; beneath, white. Antennae dark brown, with some-
what lighter tip, and very minute white annulations at base of each joint.
Legs white.
Fore wings above, creamy white, excepting the costal and hind margi-
nal areas, which are light brown, with darker markings and spots. The
brown of the costal area is well developed, covering nearly all the discoi-
dal space, darker at costa than below. In the discoidal space close to the
base is a black dot ; beyond this, near centre of discoidal space, is a large
black spot ; at the end of discoidal space is a black line, and this line,
with a little of the surrounding brown area, extends downwards into the
creamy white ground color, forming a knob more or less prominent. The
apical and hind marginal areas are light brown, edged with darker brown
on the basal side. Down the central part of the brown hind marginal
area runs a line of interspacial black dots. The hind spots bear a dark
border distinctly touched with white at end of the first and the lowest
submedian interspaces. Inner margin creamy white.
Upper side of hind wing creamy white. The hind margin has a gener-
ous brown border, a continuance of the same on the fore wing and iden-
tical in every respect, including the interspacial black dots, the marginal
white markings, etc.
The under side of both fore and hind wings is the same in its markings
as upper surface, but the white lacks its creamy tinge, and the marginal
border is nearer mouse color than brown. The colorings of upper sur-
face are repeated but decidedly deadened, and this deadening of under
surface color is too well known to need any detailed description.
The interspacial dark marginal spots are more prominent, owing to the
lighter back ground. The dark edging of the hind margins is also more
noticeable, and the white marginal spots of upper surface are much more
prominent.
Hab. — Suapure, Venezuela.
Variations. — Barring variation in size, the colorings in var-
ious specimens seem much the same. The greatest variation
is in the "jutting" of the brown costal area into the creamy
white ground area of fore wing, noted above as near end of
discoidal space. The density of the brown of marginal border
also varies.
Taken in November, 1899. It resembles quite closely A".
pelops Cram.
Carystus richardi sp. nov. — Expanse 1.30 inches. — Head and collar
bronzy brown. Antennse black. Club black above, brown beneath.
Thorax above, dark brown, with some dark gray hairs ; bem-atli, white.
202 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
Abdomen above, dark brown, the segments edged with white ; beneath
white. Legs black above, brown beneath.
Upper side of fore wing dark brown. Below the median nervure and
bordering on it, is a prominent semitransparent white spot, nearly square.
Above this, and nearly joining it, is a small white dot in the discoidal
space. At the bases of the two interspaces above this large spot are two
smaller white spots in a line drawn towards the apex. Below the costa,
two-thirds the distance to apex, are two small white spots, the upper one
merely a dot. These make a total of six spots.
Upper side of hind wing dark brown. A dash of white, or rather a
series of interspacial white marks, extends across the centre only of the
wing in a line drawn from the upper angle to a point near the base on
inner margin. This white area represents a small portion only of the
total wing area.
Hind margins have a slight gray fringe.
Under side of fore wing the same as upper surface, except that below
the large white spot is a space of similar size, heavily dusted with white
scales, suffusing towards the hind margin. A similar, though less promi-
nent, dusting of lighter scales appears outside the two subcostal spots.
The lower half of under side of hind wing is dark brown. Above a line
drawn from upper angle across the lower edge of the white spots and
ending near the base of the wing, the area is a creamy white, excepting
the costal area, which is brown. The lower edge of this costal area is
separated from the creamy white by a line drawn from base to upper an-
gle, no suffusion whatever being apparent. In this creamy white area
between the semitransparent spots and the inner margin is a dash of
brown.
Hab. — Suapure, Venezuela.
Described from five specimens in my collection taken in Jan-
uary, 1900. The white markings show no variation. This
species resembles C. lafrenayi L,atr. , but the white markings
on hind wing are not so large, and in lafrenayi the direction is
from upper angle downwards parallel to hind margin, not
straight across the wing. The under side of hind wing differs
in location and extent of white markings.
Pythonides hoyti sp. nov. Expanse i.So inches.— Head, thorax and
abdomen above, dark brown, with golden brown hairs ; beneath, light
brown. Antennae dark brown.
Upper sice of fore wing brown. Across the discoidal space is a semi-
transparent spot of peculiar shape, straight on its basal side, but forked
on its marginal side, forming a figure 1^. In the first submedianint er-
space is another similar spot somewhat nearer the hind margin. Above
the upper point of this, in the interspace next above it, is a square spot.
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 2O3
In the apical area are three subcostal elongated semitransparent spots,
the uppermost and lowest ones being a little nearer hind margin than the
central one. Near base, about one-third distance to apex is an indistinct
band of dark brown running from costa to inner margin. Another band
runs across the two lower interspaces between the first band and hind
margin. Below the subcostal spots is a dusting of dark brown. This,
with the band last mentioned, suggests a band across the wing broken by
the white spots and ground color at central portion of the wing, this par-
tially developed band being continued on hind wing.
Upper side of hind wing brown, matching fore wing. The wing is
crossed from costa to inner margin, by two darker bands, these being
continuations of the bands of the fore wing. The basal and anal areas of
the wing are covered with brown hairs, causing an apparant suffusion of
the bands.
Both wings have a fringe of the ground color.
Under side of fore wing very light brown, excepting the costal and api-
cal areas, which are darker. The spots of upper surface are repeated,
also the dark bands.
Under side of hind wing very light brown, the hind marginal and basa
areas being somewhat darker. The basal area is dusted with light brown
scales. The dark bands of upper surface are repeated.
Hab. — Suapure, Venezuela.
The semitransparent spots closely resemble those on P.
litcullea Hew.
Taken in the latter part of January, 1900.
Pamphila bobae sp. nov. Expanse i.io inches. — Head, palpi, antennae,
thorax and abdomen above, very dark brown, nearly black ; beneath
somewhat lighter.
Upper side of fore wing dark velvety brown, with no markings, except
very indistinct bands of a darker shade, noticeable only on close inspec-
tion. The first crosses basal area, the second the end of discoidal space,
the third the hind marginal area. In the interspaces along hind margin
is a series ot similarly indistinct dark markings.
Upper side of hind wing very dark velvety brown, costal area some-
what lighter.
Under side of fore wing lighter than the upper surface, the dark mark-
ings being slightly more noticeable. The lower submedian area near
base and entire inner marginal area are very light.
Under side of hind wing is the same as fore wing, the dark markings of
fore wing being repeated. Owing to the very dark shade, these mark-
ings scarcely show on the upper surface.
Hab. — Suapure, Venezuela.
Taken in January, 1900.
204 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
Pamphila brooksii sp. nov. Expanse 2 inches. — Head and palpi, tawny
brown. Thorax above, dark brown, with tawny brown shoulders ; be-
neath, tawny brown. Abdomen above, dark brown ; beneath white.
Legs tawny brown. Antennae dark brown, whitish at base of club. Club
above dark brown ; beneath dark brown, with whitish tip.
Upper side of fore wing dark brown. Costa tawny brown half way to
apex. Basal portion of wing slightly dusted with tawny brown. Across
the centre of discoidal space there is a prominent white spot. Below this,
in second submedian interspace, is another spot, but nearer the hind mar-
gin ; still nearer the hind margin, in interspace above, is a third white
spot. These three white spots are of nearly equal size. Near the apex,
extending from costa downwards are three small white spots, and a fourth
one still farther down. Hind margin has a slight tawny brown fringe.
Upper side of hind wing dark brown ; costa somewhat lighter. Hind
margin has a slight tawny brown fringe.
Under side of fore wing nearly black, except the costal and apical areas,
which are a rich tawny brown. The white spots of the upper surface are
repeated. In the interspaces above the lower of the four apical white
spots are two black specks, one above the other, showing a tendency to
transparency at their centres. In the lowest submedian interspace, at its
centre, there is a dusting of light scales. Hind margin is edged with a
fine black thread.
Under side of hind wing a rich tawny brown, darker in marginal and
basal areas. In the first and third submedian interspaces is a white dot
just below the end of the discoidal space.
Hab. — Suapure, Venezuela.
Taken in the latter part of July, 1899.
RECENTLY the writer described a new species of the genus Lichenoch-
rus from Costa Rica as L. marmoratus (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., p.
814, 1905). It has been found that Sjostedt applied the same specific
name to a very different species of the genus from West Africa (Bihang
till K. Svenska Vet.-Akad. Handl., xxvii, afd. iv, No. 3, p. 32), and, as
his name has considerable priority over my name, that of Lichenochrus
deciduus is proposed to replace L. marmoratus Relm — J. A. G. REHN.
PSEUDORTHOSIA VARiABiLis var. PALLiDiOR n. var. — Expanse 40 mm.;
anterior wings a warm but not dark reddish, more yellowish basally, with
the stigmata dark, but the bands of the type absent, the two pale lines in
the subapical field faintly indicated against a reddish background. Glen-
wood Springs, Colorado, in Mr. J. Mason's collection. I had taken it for
a new species, but specimens from the northwest, kindly sent to me by
Dr. Dyar, show that it is only a pale form of P. variabilis. — T. D. A.
COCKERELL.
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 205
Description of two new genera and three new species
of Aphididae.
BY THEO. PERGANDE.
While examining a series of Aphids, received by the Bureau
of Entomology of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, from
Mr. S. I. Kuwana, of the Imperial Agricultural Experiment
Station at Nishigahara, Tokio, Japan, I discovered among
them a number of specimens of two highly interesting genera,
one of which has been previously discovered on the Island of
Java. These the writer takes the liberty of describing herewith.
NIPPONAPHIS n. gen.
This remarkable aphid, which is represented by a single spe-
cies, resembles in venation and in the strongly annulated an-
tennae the genus Schizoneura, but differs from the latter in
having antennae which are only 5-jointed ; the two basal joints
short and subequal in length, the following three joints of
almost equal diameter and strongly annulated ; joint 3 is much
the longest and longer than the remaining two combined.
Head, including the eyes, narrower than the thorax and
broader than long, its frontal margin slightly convex. The
two discal ocelli are placed in front of the eyes, and the third
one at the middle of the anterior edge. Posterior tubercle of
the eyes very small. Nectaries represented by pores only, and
situated far back, apparently on the sixth abdominal segment.
Tail short, broad, semicircular ; last ventral segment notched
at middle of posterior edge.
Third discoidal vein of the front wings with one fork.
Nipponaphis distychii n. sp.
The note sent by Mr. Kuwana is rather short and unsatis-
factory ; it reads as follow : "Head and eyes black. Prothorax
dark purplish yellow. Dorsal aspect of meso-metathorax
black. Abdomen dark purplish brown. Producing galls on
the leaves of Distychium racewoxuni at Nishigahara, October
23- 1905-"
206 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
The antennae of the migrants — the only form sent — reach about to the
base of the abdomen. The two basal joints, as usual, shortest and sub-
equal in length ; the first joint cylindrical and originating on the under
side of the head ; joint 2 slightly the stoutest and broadly rounded at the
apex ; the remaining three joints cylindrical and of almost equal thick-
ness ; the third longest, longer than the remaining two combined, being
divided by from 41 to 44 rather deep annulations ; the fourth longer than
the fifth, with from 20 to 24 annulations ; while the fifth is divided by
from ii to 15 annulations, its terminal spur short, stout and truncate at
the apex, where it bears three or four short bristles.
Thorax about as long as broad and slightly broader than the abdomen.
Abdomen elongate-ovoid, tapering posteriorly and furnished on each side
with four slightly projecting blackish stigmata in front of the nectar pores.
Legs normal and provided with sparse short hairs.
Wings pale dusky, with slightly darker shading along the veins ; the
costal cell and the stigma still darker, costa, subcosta and the veins
blackish. The first two discoidal veins arise quite near each other and
are rather far apart at the hind margin of the wing ; the fork of the third
discoidal is unusually long and narrow, while at least two-thirds of the
stem of this vein is obliterated ; in rare cases the fork is extremely short,
while occasionally the third vein is simple as in Pemphigus. The stigma
is long and lanceolate, with the stigmal vein arising about the middle, its
basal half gently curved, the rest almost straight and terminating in front
of the apex of the wing. The two discoidal veins of the hind wings are
at least three times as far distant at the base as those of the front wings.
The surface of all of the wings is rather densely scaly. Length of body
about 2 mm. ; expanse of wings about 7 mm.
TRICHOSIPHUM n. gen.
This is another abnormal genus and undoubtedly nearly rela-
ted to the genus Greenidca, which was properly established by
Schouteden for Siphonophora artocarpi Westw. Both of these
genera agree in the very hairy nectaries, a character not ob-
served in any of the other known genera. The principal dif-
ferences between the two, in respect to the nectaries, are as
follows : In Greenidca the nectaries of the migrant and of the
apterous female, pupa, etc., are rather long, slender, almost
entirely cylindrical, or slightly narrower at both ends and rela-
tively of about the same length ; whereas in the new genus the
nectaries of the migrant are extremely long and cylindrical,
while those of the apterous females are short, very stout and
very distinctly fusiform. This diversity in the size and shape
of these organs in the different forms justifies my opinion thai
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 207
this constitutes a genus distinct from Greenidea, although
closely related to it.
The characters of this new genus are : Antennae of migrant
as long or longer than the body, composed as usual of six
joints, all of which, excepting the two basal, are furnished
with long and bristle-like hairs, the third being longest. Front
of head broad and quite straight ; posterior tubercle of eyes
bearing three ocelli. Abdomen sparsely hairy. Tail short
and broadly triangular. Nectaries very long, almost as long
as the whole body, cylindrical, straight, curving outwards
towards the apex and profusely covered with long, bristle-
like hairs. Venation similar to that of Aphis.
In the apterous female, the whole body, including the an-
tennae, nectaries and legs, is covered with stout hairs or bris-
tles ; head, etc., as in the migrant. Nectaries short, or about
one-fourth of the length of the body, stout and distinctly fusi-
form ; curved outwards.
Only two species exhibiting these characters are thus far
known to me. The first of these represented by migrants,
pupae, apterous females and larvae, was discovered by Dr. L.
Zehnter, January 10, 1902, at Salatiga, Java, on Anona nniri-
cata. Following is its description :
Trichosiphum anonae n. sp.
The material representing this species was, as usual, pre-
served in alcohol, and for this reason the original coloration
has vanished. It appears, however, to have been yellowish
green in the migrants, with the exception of the greater part
of the abdomen above, which appears to have been brown.
Migrant. — Antennae 6 jointed ; the two basal joints, as usual, shortest
and subequal in length, the first joint stoutest ; joint 3 longest, longer
than the spur of the sixth joint and but slightly shorter than the fourth
and fifth combined, both of the latter subequal in length ; all of these
joints are furnished with rather long and stiff hairs ; there are also from
four to six small, transversely oval sensoria near the base of joint 3. The
antennae are slender and about as long as the whole insect.
Front of head quite straight, slightly indented about the middle, and
furnished witli about six long and slender hairs, while similar hairs are
scattered over the upper surface of the head.
Head broader than long, and, with the eyes included, broader than the
2O8 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
prothorax. Eyes large, their posterior tubercle highly developed, each
bearing three ocelli. The two ocelli on top of the head are placed close
to the anterior edge of the eyes, while the anterior one is situated on the
under side of the head.
Rostrum long, reaching to the abdomen. Prothorax broader than long
and slightly broadest posteriorly, provided with a few lateral hairs on
each side.
Abdomen about one-half the length of the body, its lateral edges quite
straight, and broadest near the region of the nectaries, the terminal end
broadly triangular, provided with sparse and fine hairs, which are still
more numerous along the sides and on the last segment.
Tail short and broadly arcuate, bearing a small triangular projection at
the middle of the external margin, its two sides being quite sharply ser-
rate ; each side bearing apparently four bristles, with a few smaller ones
on its surface. The last segment is broadly semi-circular, and bears along
its edge quite a number of still longer and stouter curved bristles.
Nectaries very long, almost as long as the whole insect, cylindrical,
straight and slightly curved outwards toward the apex, and covered pro-
fusely with long and fine divaricating hairs or bristles.
Legs rather long and slender, provided on femora and tibiae with stiff
hairs. Front wings much longer than the entire body, the venation re-
sembling more or less that of Aphis and Callipterns. The first two dis-
coidals are distant at base and about seven times as widely separated at
the apex ; the first vein is almost straight, whereas the terminal one-third
of the second vein is much curved toward the base of the wing ; the third
discoidal with its two forks resembles somewhat that of Callipterus ; the
basal half or less of this vein, or the stem of it, is obliterated ; the stigma
is long, narrow, parallel ; stigmal vein gently curved and terminating at
the apex of the wing. The hind wings are much shorter and much nar-
rower than the front wings and have the usual oblique veins, which are
quite straight, far apart at base, and more than twice as far apart at apex.
The pupae have the body and legs much more hairy ; the hairs of these
parts are longer and stouter than in the migrant, while those of the tail
and end of the body are shorter and finer. The upper side of the abdo-
men is marked with numerous pale brown spots of varying size, followed
by a brown band, the latter divided at the middle, and itself followed by
a very large spot between and touching the nectaries. In other respects,
the pupae resemble the migrant, excepting that the nectaries are not
quite one-half the length of the body, and are also comparatively stouter
and slightly tapering toward both ends. The triangular point of the tail
is also somewhat longer.
Apterous Female. — Body pyriform, the head, pro- and mesothorax
being narrowest, the rest of the body broadly oval. Front of head
straight, or almost so, and destitute of frontal tubercles. Eyes of the
usual size, their posterior tubercle prominent and furnished with three
large and rather globular ocelli. Antennae about two-thirds the length
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 2Og
of the insect ; joints 3 and 6, including the spur, longest and subequal in
length, each of them about as long as joints 4 and 5 combined ; the fifth
slightly longer than the fourth ; all except the spur are provided with a
few long stiff hairs or bristles. Tail and end of body as in the migrant ;
nectaries much shorter than in either the migrant or pupa, or only about
one-fourth the length of the body, rather stout near the middle, tapering
toward each end and curved outwards. 'Abdomen without spots, the
whole body, including the nectaries and legs, profusely provided with
stiff hairs or bristles, similar to those of Chaitophorus. Length about 1.4
mm. ; diameter across the abdomen about 0.8 mm.
Trichosiphum kuwanae n sp.
Among the material of aphids sent by Mr. S. I. Kuwana, of
the Imperial Agricultural Experiment Station, Nishigahara,
Tokio, Japan, were found three parcels of alcoholic specimens
of apterous females, larvae and a few pupae of this species,
though none of the migrants. All were found living upon
Ouercus serrata on the 2yth and 2Qth of June, and on the 2nd
of August, 1905. Those taken in June are stated to be of a
deep black color, whereas those obtained in August are said
to be reddish brown. An examination of the entire material
convinces the writer that all of them belong to the same spe-
cies, which he herewith takes pleasure in dedicating to Mr.
Kuwana.
This is, therefor, the second female, in which the nectaries
of the apterous females are short, stout and fusiform.
Apterous Female. — Antennje about one-half the length of the body ;
joints 3-6, including the spur, varying more or less in length in different
specimens and frequently in the same individual ; the third joint as usual
is longer than the two following joints combined, the latter subequal in
length. All of the joints, excepting the spur, are provided with long,
stiff bristles. Front of head broad and quite straight. Eyes large, their
posterior tubercle much elongated and bearing three large ocelli at the
end ; sides of the thorax quite straight, broadening more or less distinctly
posteriorly, while the abdomen is almost circular in outline. The legs
are rather long and stout, and like the rest of the insect, profusely covered
with stout stiff bristles. Nectaries usually somewhat longer than the
third amennal joint, or about one-half as long as the abdomen, stout, tap-
ering toward each end and curved outwardly, covered with numerous
long bristles and minute spines.
Tail short, broadly triangular, bearing a short triangular point at the
centre of the posterior edge, densely covered with minute sharp points
and furnished on each side with three or more long stout bristles. Last
210 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
ventral segment broadly emarginate. In the older specimens the colora-
tion appears to be quite uniform, whereas in younger females, there are
six irregular rows of large, oval or roundish dusky or brownish spots on
the abdomen, interspersed with numerous smaller spots of two sizes, each
of the latter bearing a slender black hair ; there are also four large lateral
spots in front of the nectaries, while the head and thorax are entirely of a
dark color ; there are also two pairs of dark spots on the meso- and meta-
thorax, the anterior pair on each of these segments being much the
smaller and transversely linear.
The larvae are very much elongated, their lateral margins quite paral-
lel ; the body is also more or less distinctly spotted, and the hairs of the
abdomen are rather long and slender. Nectaries short, about the length
of the posterior tarsi, stout at base, elongate-conical, not reaching to the
end of the abdomen ; just behind each of them is a stout and conical,
lateral tubercle, about one-half the length of the nectaries, bearing at the
apex a long, slender, backwardly directed bristle, while a similar though
smaller pair of tubercles is situated at the posterior margin of the follow-
ing segment. The last dorsal segment is broadly triangular.
The pupae are spotted similarly to the younger apterous females, and
are also very hairy, though the nectaries are longer, quite slender, though
still somewhat fusiform.
Texas Notes — I.
BY E. DWIGHT SANDERSON.
i. Omileus epicteroides Lee. — A snout weevil injurious to
peach foliage. Injury by this species to peach foliage was
first called to our attention by two correspondents in East
Texas early in March, 1904. The beetles were reported as
seriously injuring the foliage of young peach trees. The same
insect had done similar injury the year previous. Examina-
tion showed them to be wingless, and their control therefore
appeared simple. The insects seemed most numerous during
the first ten days of April. Visiting Dialville, in the heart of
the peach belt, on April 2Qth, we found them still abundant.
The foliage had been eaten much as by Lachnosterna. The
sexes had been mating for some time. The beetles were shaken
from the trees with great difficulty so that jarring was not
feasible. They were noticed most commonly on tender sprouts
from oak stumps. It developed that they were injurious
almost entirely on or adjoining newly planted orchards on
land just cleared off and surrounded by oak. It seems to us
June, '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
211
evident that the normal food plant is oak. A band of " tan-
glefoot " was placed around the trunks of several trees at
evening, as the beetle seems to feed at night mostly, and
several beetles placed at the bottom of each tree. Out of
eight, three were found covered with the sticky mixture at
the base of one tree and none upon it. There is, no doubt,
that such a band placed on trees about March ist will entirely
protect them. Where they are already upon the trees, thor-
ough spraying with strong arsenate of lead or Paris green,
one-half pound per barrel, was reported as effective.
The habits of the weevils seem to be much like those known
of the imbricated snout weevil (Epiccerus inibricatus), which
* on leaf (enlarged)
this weevil quite closely resembles. The eggs are laid upon
fallen foliage or rubbish, the leaf being folded over them, in
bunches of from two to nine, thirty-five averaging four each.
While ovipositing the females remain mostly upon the ground,
feeding but little, while the males are in the trees and occa-
sionally descend to them. In no case were they observed go-
ing into the loose soil. Two females laid 50 and 60 eggs. The
eggs hatch in from three to eight weeks, averaging about a
month, hatching mostly about the middle of May. The larva-
feed upon roots, probably of the oak, but we were unable to
rear them.
This species was first described by L,eConte and Horn in
212 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
their Monograph of the Rhyncophora from Texas, 1876 ; since
then we have seen no published record of the species as of
economic importance.
The close resemblance of this speciee to our common imbri-
cated snout beetle {Epic&rus imbricatus) led the writer to
question whether or not it too might be wingless, in which
case the same means of control would obviously be available.
No description of the wings could be found, or any mention
as to whether they were functional or not. Mr. E. A.
Schwarz of the National Museum, therefore, kindly examined
some specimens at my request and writes me : "I have exam-
ined several specimens of our common Epiccrrus imbricatus and
fail to find any trace of hind wings. Moreover, the elytra are
connate, the humeri absent and the metasternum short, all
characters indicating a wingless genus. Dr. D. Sharp, in the
Biologia Centrali-Americana, divides the family Otiorhynchi-
dse into two divisions, the winged ones and the wingless
genera. The genus Epiccerus is placed among the latter." So
there is still something to be learned about our most common
beetles. Lacking wings, the imbricated snout beetle should
also be readily controlled and kept from ascending fruit trees
by means of sticky bands around the trunks.
2. The Texas Grape Fidia (Fidia cana}. Specimens of
this leaf beetle were received May 17, 1904, from D. Garner,
Dripping Springs, Hays County, Texas, who reported them to
be ruining his grape crop. May 2Qth he wrote us : "The first
I knew of it, it was riddling the tender leaves before the vines
bloomed. As soon as the fruit was set they were at work
upon it. When we spray our vines they get inside of compact
bunches and bite the berries near the stem. They appear to
have the trait of ' sulling ' or dropping to the ground as does
the curculio." Specimens of their work sent showed the
leaves badly eaten, and the berries gnawed exactly as is done
by the grape root-worm {Fidia viticida) of the east. So far
as recorded, F. cana, as we determined the insect, is peculiar
to Texas, and it seems probable that it may prove equally
troublesome to grape growers there.
3. The Southern Corn Root-worm {Diabrotica i2-punctata
June, 'c6] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 213
Oliv.)- The larvae of this beetle caused considerable injury to
young corn early in April, 1903, through central Texas. In
the worst injured field at College Station, the larvae were
found working upon the roots of Johnson grass, where they
seemed to be older than on corn. About one-third of the hills
of corn were killed and a considerable acreage was replanted.
Several nearly full grown larvae were placed in breeding cages
and pupated about April 2gth. One beetle emerged from
these May i2th.
January 16, 1904, the adults were found very numerous upon
alfalfa. Females of this lot examined had well-developed
eggs. They were again destructive to garden stuff, especially
snap beans the first week in April, but the larvae did not do
much injury to corn. The adults of the second generation
were numerous May 6, 1904. (For the best account of this
species on corn in the South, see Quaintance, Bulletin 26, n. s.,
Div. Entomology, U. S. Dept. Agr., p. 35).
I THINK the editors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS should be proud of their
journal. I notice the April number has four full plates and 15 to 20 text
figures. Is there any entomological journal published at twice the price
that can beat that? Aldrich's plate is a work of art.— E. B. WILLIAMSON.
OPHISMA TROPICALIS Guenee, in Fairmount Park. — I exhibited this
moth at a recent meeting of the American Entomological Society, not
having determined it. Mr. William Beutenmuller who was present at
the meeting wrote me a few days after as follows : "The strange Noctuid
from Fairmount Park, exhibited at the last meeting of the Society, is
Op/iisnia tropicalis Guenee. The species is subject to considerable
variation, and we have one specimen from Jalapa, Mexico, in our col-
lection, almost exactly like it. We also have specimens from Coatepec.
Mexico; Aroa, Venezuela and Rio Janeiro, Brazil." The " Biologia "
gives the following distribution : Panama, Colombia, Guiana, Brazil,
Cuba. The moth was captured by Mr. Herman Hornig on the evening
of August 5, 1905. Me gives the following account : "It was caught at
Chamounix, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. The flight of the moth is
similar to that of the Sphingidse, the wings supporting the body while
feeding, the food in this case being well fermented molasses. It was
caught about 8.10 P.M." It is difficult to tell whether the moth was only
an accidental find, brought here by commerce, or whether it has obtained
a foothold like the big Mantid, Tenodera siriensis. — HEKRV SKINNER.
214 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
Notes on Mosquitoes.
BY DR. S. E. WEBER, Lancaster, Pa.
(Plate X)
Culex pipiens Linnaeus.
This domestic species which loves human habitations, and is
found throughout the greater portion of the civilized world, is
the commonest mosquito about Lancaster and other localities
in Pennsylvania. It is still looked upon as breeding in rain
barrels or any other receptacle containing fresh water, but I
have long known this species and most of its varieties and
some closely allied forms, as barn-yard mosquitoes breeding
in manure water. In the plate is shown a typical breed-
place, where a sufficient number of eggs were deposited every
day during the season to more than supply each inhabitant of
the city with a mosquito of this species alone, aside from the
more dangerous species of Anopheles and others. The obser-
vations made in this combination of neglected door yards and
manure yards for three stables during the summer of 1904 and
1905 show the percentage of adults produced from a certain
number of eggs deposited to be sufficient also to supply the
eastern section of Pennsylvania with C. pipiens mosquitoes.
In one yard was found a nest of 3 rain barrels, in the other
were two, making 5 rain barrels, 3 manure piles, 3 water
closets and some tin cans, agate-ware pots, etc., containing
water with larvae, In the left hand corner of the stable yard
is shown a portion of a manure pit containing water from
which a one gallon dip, taken last October, brought over 2000
C. pipiens larvae, which furnishes an idea of its contents. The
water in one of the rain barrels when first seen was so packed
with larvae that for over one-half inch from the surface it was
about the consistency of gelatine. One of the most interesting
facts with reference to the breeding habits in the rain barrel as
compared with the manure water is the choice of the various
species or varieties of species under the shield of C. pipiens.
In the number of larvae mentioned there were 14 distinctively
characterized species, which resulted in five separate forms of
adults which were not found breeding in the rain barrels so
close by.
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 215
The first appearance of C. pipiens in the season of 1905 was
noticed in the evening of April i4th. In 1906 it appeared
April 1 7th ; the first deposit of eggs was made April 2ist — 2
masses— hatched April 28th. Three masses of April 28th
hatched April 3oth ; on the latter date 4 masses were deposi-
ted ; May 2nd, 10 masses ; May 3rd, ijth and May i4th, 33
masses in one rain barrel. Let us note the egg deposits in one
barrel throughout the season of 1905 : On May gth (the first
deposit), 2 masses; May loth, 10 masses, then more or less
every day, and a few cool days no deposits. In June the high-
est number deposited was 16 masses. In July the number
reached from 18 to 30, and in some prolific depositing periods
through the month of August, 34 were found. A count of 34
masses, September roth, showed 6962 eggs as the deposit of a
single night ; October ist, 26 masses, 6554 eggs ; October 2nd,
38 masses, 6525 eggs. Egg laying now decreased to 6 or more
masses, some days none, and on a warm day, as October loth,
21 masses— 4429 eggs ; no more deposits from that on to Octo-
ber 1 5th, ?3 masses; then October iyth, 12 masses; October
2oth, 4 masses ; October 25th, 6 masses. No eggs were de-
posited from the last date until November ist, 7 a.m., 1905,
which was the last deposition of the season, and was made in
a bucket containing manure water. The last deposition which
took place in 1904 was 2 masses on October 3 ist.
The time of egg laying changes with the stage of the season.
Most of it is expected in the early morning hour. In spring
it does not occur as early as in mid summer, in the latter
part of August it is already at about 6 a.m. that the last de-
positions are noted, and by the closing of the season 7 a.m.,
and a deposition has been found as late as 10 a.m. in the latter
part of October, but at no time have I observed any deposits
in day time during the summer.
The minimum duration of the entire life round for C. pi pic us
as observed during the month of July was eight days and nine
hours. This is possibly the shortest period on record for this
species. The mass was composed of 392 eggs and was remark-
able for its percentage of production, which was 365 adults—
159 males and 206 females, and still more remarkable- is the
2l6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
fact that they were bred in a rain barrel which had been re-
cently used for petroleum. The atmospheric conditions and
environment are the main features in the different stages of
the life history, which varies greatly according to these influ-
ences. This species is possessed with a high degree of tena-
city, as shown by experiments which can not receive mention
here. Its power of resistence to cold is unusual. In a collec-
tion of 26 masses of eggs, October 12, 1904, 12 masses hatched
October i5th ; 5 more hatched on October i8th, and the rest
became water logged. These larva were kept for winter ob-
servation. On the morning of November i, 1904, a rain bar-
rel was found frozen over, the ice being about V?. inch thick,
with the larvae imbedded and apparently lifeless. Some were
taken in the house and thawed out, while others were left in
the barrel to thaw out through the day. Of 100 larva so
treated only 3 were found dead, which was apparently due to
injury between the cakes of ice. The other larvae in the same
barrel seemed not affected, more than a check to their usual
activity. On November i2th the barrel was again frozen over
and 57 larvae were taken out, which were solidly imbedded in
ice ; after thawing out, 5 were dead from injury, and the bal-
ance were as lively as before. The larvae now diminished in
numbers. Through flooding of the barrel the remainder were
lost. Of the 52 taken from the barrel after being frozen twice,
twenty were found dead November i5th. From November
1 7th to 22nd there were 9 pupations : i on the former and 5
on the latter date, though first issues were November 24th, i
$ and i 9 . The last issue occurred December i2th, with a
total of 14 adults, 7 & and 7 9 , after being frozen twice.
This is not the least this species or varieties of the same will
endure since I have made numerous other observations, and in
some instances they have even been allowed to freeze in ice
from three to four times in larval and pupal state, and have
come to maturity. In one instance a particular variety of a
generation hatched September 25, 1905, 305 larvae were en-
tirely frozen in ice on the nights of November 2, 3, n 12 and
13 ; for the first four days they were thawed out by noon of
each day, but on the last day of freezing remained in the ice
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 217
for over 24 hours. After all these hardships the larvae were
lively, and were now taken indoors, but in a few days most of
the number died. A small number survived, which pupated,
and by December gth i S and i 9 issued ; after being per-
fectly dried up in a bucket for one week 15 larvae were found
dead, and from 7 pupae in the same condition issued 3 £ and
4 9 on December 16 and 17, 1905. The same is practically
true of another generation of a different variety of the same
species, which was allowed to go through the same process at
the time.
The last larvae from masses of October 12, 1904, died Febru-
ary 14, 1905. The last larvae and pupa, which died and were
from the season of 1905, were from eggs deposited October
9th in the evening, and hatched October i4th, died March 10,
1906 ; this extends the period of prolonged larval existence to
almost 5 months. This is not only a feature in winter, but
may occur in regular season, when, from want of food, larval
life may be extended 4 or six weeks and over.
Some of the species associated with C.pipiens in rain barrels
of the yards in question were C. rcstuans Theo., C. territans
Walk., C. salinarius Coq. and Anopheles punctipennis Say.
Observations of extremely interesting character, with refer-
ence to larvae and adults, is a record of 50 egg masses of
Culex pipiens, including the study of antecedents and progeny.
The total number of eggs was 15,056, which, under various
conditions, produced 7959 adults, of which 3984 were males
and 3975 were females.
(To be continued)
A New Cantharis.
BY HENRY SKINNER.
Cantharis pilsbryi n. sp —Black, shining, head with a red spot in the
centre ; sides of thorax red. Head convex and shining, with but few
punctures, hind angles obtuse. Thorax nearly round, slightly convex,
with few punctures. Elytra moderately robust, black, feebly shining.
This species is of the same size as deserticola, and the elytra have practi-
cally the same character of reticulation. The red spot in the centre of
the head and the red sides of the thorax distinguish it from the other spe-
cies. Length 22 mm.
Described from five specimens taken by Prof. H. A. Pilsbry
at High Bridge, Pecos River, Texas, April 27th.
2l8 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
A New Method of Preparing Wings and Other Parts
of Insects For Study.
BY W. V. TOWER, B. S., Amherst, Mass.
In ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS for January, 1905, page 28,
there appeared a note referring to some mounts of Lepidoptera
prepared by Dr. P. P. Calvert to show the venation of the
wings. For this purpose he used a ten per cent, solution of
caustic potash as a bleaching agent, after which the wings
were washed and then stained in a watery solution of Bor-
deaux red for twenty-four hours. Upon removal from the
stain they were washed, floated onto cards and allowed to dry.
Several trials of this method failed to give satisfactory re-
sults, and, thinking there was a chance for improvement, a
number of experiments were carried on at the Entomological
Laboratory of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, which
gave the following results :
METHODS.
1 . Place the wings to be bleached in a crucible partly filled
with hydrogen peroxide and cover ; boil until the scales are
thoroughly bleached, then wash in water and then in seventy
per cent, alcohol fifteen minutes in each. While the wings
are washing smooth out with a fine camel's hair brush to
loosen many of the scales and render the wings more trans-
parent. After washing, stain from one to three hours with
cyanin, gentian violet, Bordeaux red (six hours in this case),
or rosaniline, then remove and wash for fifteen minutes in fifty
per cent, alcohol and thirty minutes in water. At this point
thorough washing is very important as air bubbles and more
or less surplus stain have worked in between the two mem-
branes of the wing. These can be removed by pressure with
a camel's hair brush, gently forcing them out at the base of
the wing. It is a good practice to repeat this washing ; then
mount in glycerine jelly.
2. Balsam mounts. Bleach with hydrogen peroxid as
above, then wash in water and in fifty per cent, alcohol, fif-
teen minutes in each ; remove and stain in cyanin for two
hours, then wash in fifty, seventy and ninety per cent, alco-
hol, ten minutes in each, removing surplus stain and air bub-
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 2IQ
bles, as explained above ; then clear in oil of cloves and
mount in xylol balsam.
The time required for treating wings by this method is the
same as by the last, and the results are equally good.
3. Unstained mounts. Wings to be mounted without
staining should be bleached with hydrogen peroxid as al-
ready described. After washing in water and removing the
air bubbles, mount directly in glycerine jelly.
Wings treated by this method cannot be successfully photo-
graphed, whereas excellent photographs can be obtained from
wings prepared by the first two methods.
Either of these methods require less time than that de-
scribed by Dr. Calvert* or by the use of the L/abarraque solu-
tion, and the venation resulting is more distinct.
Hydrogen peroxid of three per cent, strength is prepared
by many wholesale drug houses, and various trade names are
used for the product, but all of these preparations which were
tried gave equally good results. As this substance when warm
oxidizes metallic instruments it is advisable to use a wooden
lifter in transferring the wings or other parts treated from one
medium to another.
Although the stains already named have given the best re-
sults, the following have been tried : Cyanin, rosaniline,
gentian violet, Bordeaux red, erythrosin, safraniu, acid fuch-
sin, paracarmine, Grenacher's borax-carmine, Delafield'shaem-
atoxylin, Ehrlich's acid hsematoxylin, Delafield's borax-car-
mine, methyl blue, orange G, analine hydrate chloric! and silver
nitrate. Wings prepared and then stained with cyanin, ros-
aniline or gentian violet are excellent for immediate study,
while those stained with Bordeaux red, erythrosin or safranin
make good mounts from which to obtain photographs.
Hydrogen peroxid has also proved useful to bleach the
antennae, legs and mouth parts as well as the wings of Hymen-
optera, and fuliginous wings of other insects are rendered much
lighter by its use, while the tearing often caused by boiling
such parts in potash seems to be avoided in this method of treat-
ment. The bleaching proceeds faster after the peroxid has been
boiled down somewhat, thus becoming more concentrated.
* [It should he noted that my method \\.is devised ; nits. —
P. P. CALX
220 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
A New Sawfly.
BY T. D. A. COCKERELL.
A nematid sawfly has attracted attention by its appearance
in the streets of Boulder this spring, being one of the earliest
insects on the wing. As it does not agree with any described
species, a description is offered :
Pteronus arapahonum n. sp.
cf. — Length about 7 mm.; anterior wing 6-f. In Marlatt's table (Revis.
Nematinae, p. 44) it runs near to P. ribesii Scop., from which it differs in
the coloration of the thorax above, the mesothoracic plates being solid
black, the long third cubital cell, etc. Head and mesothorax shining
black, the latter minutely but distinctly punctured ; triangular mark be-
tween antennae, and broad anterior margin of clypeus (which is broadly
but shallowly emarginate) reddish yellow ; base of mandibles and labrum
(which is quite large) dull whitish yellow ; orbits dark, except a minute
reddish spot at the top of the eyes ; antennae feddish yellow beneath and
black above, the colors sharply contrasting ; joint 4 a little longer than 3;
scutellum except a large spot at base, postscutellum, lobes of pronotum,
and most of upper half of epimeron, reddish yellow ; lower half and more
of epimeron entirely black ; legs light reddish yellow, the coxoe, trochan-
ters and bases of femora yellowish white ; apex of hind tibiae, and their
tarsi, blackened ; wings hyaline (a little dusky), iridescent, the stigma
(which is very large and broad) and nervures black ; transverse costal
nervure only slightly oblique and about half as far below basal as basal is
before first cubital cell ; third cubital cell much longer than its apical
breadth ; second r. n. almost as far from base of third cubital cell as the
breadth of the base of latter ; upper discal cell of hind wings surpassing
lower at the point of junction ; abdomen reddish yellow, the two basal
segments more or less infuscated ; apical part of sheath black ; claws
strongly bifid, the teeth parallel and about equal.
Var. a. — Middle of scutellum infuscated ; light color on epimeron reduced
to a transverse mark ; third abdominal segment slightly infus-
cated in subdorsal region.
Var. b. — Transverse costal nervure only a short distance before basal.
Var. c. — Third cubital cell much higher, especially at base.
Hab. —Boulder, Colorado, April 6th (T. D. A. Cockerell) ;
April 1 5th (W. P. Cockerell) ; April loth (S. A. Rohwer).
THE REV. C. J. S. BETHUNE has been appointed professor of entomo-
logy at the Agricultural College at Guelph, Ontario, Canada, to which
place all communications should be sent.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items
of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given
in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at out
earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep-
tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num-
ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or
important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five "extras," without change in form,
will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along
with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — ED.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., JUNE, 1906.
Apart from the general loss of life and property brought
about by the earthquake in San Francisco, entomologists have
doubtless been especially interested in their brethern and co-
workers in that unfortunate city and anxious to know how
they fared. These questions are as well answered as may be
at the present time by Dr. Van Dyke in another part of this
issue. All did not fare alike. To the fortunate ones we send
congratulations, and to the others our profound sympathy for
what they have lost.
We would like to be of aid to those who have lost not only
their collections and books, but property and employment. We
therefore ask our subscribers to aid in helping those that
suffered most. We will gladly receive subscriptions to be
transmitted to entomologists, and will make a proper distribu-
tion of any money entrusted to us. The names of donors will
be published in the NEWS, but not the amounts subscribed.
BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH COLUMBIA ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. -
The first number of this quarterly has appeared. The formation of this
Society and the publishing of its Bulletin show very commendable enter-
prise. The officers are as follows : President, G. W. Taylor ; Vice-Pres-
ident, T. Wilson ; Secretary, R. V. Harvey. There are at present 21
members.
221
222 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
Notes and Ne\vs.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
THE entomological laboratories and collections at Stanford University
suffered practically no injury from the recent earthquake in California.
The Stanford buildings, which were wrecked, were the arch, church and
new museum, library and gymnasium, the latter two being in course of
erection. The various quadrangle buildings, dormitories, etc., were only
slightly injured. University work will begun again on August 23rd, the
regular date for the opening of the next college year. — VERNON L.
KELLOGG.
EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE NOTES FROM SAN FRANCISCO. — I have been
collecting, as best I could, all information pertaining to the losses sustained
by our local entomological fraternity, with a view to having it published
in the ENT. NEWS.
From the Academy there were saved simply the boxes containing the
types of the Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Hymenoptera. All else in our
department was lost. The Behr collection of Lepidoptera, our general
collection of insects, including all our types of Odonata, Arachnida, etc.,
and our entire library.
Of private collections, the greatest loss was that sustained by Mr. Chas.
Fuchs, he having saved only about twenty-two boxes of specimens, these
consisting of his generic collection of Coleoptera. All his books, I think,
were burned. Mr. James Cottle lost his entire collection of Lepidoptera
and all except one or two of his books. The Beverley Letcher collection
of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera and the library, which was stored in Mr.
Cottle's house, was also destroyed. I have heard that Mr. J. C. Hugue-
nin lost his collection. That would leave the collection of Mr. F. X.
Williams, which was in the unburned district, as the only good collection
of Lepidoptera in the city. The owner is still away on our Galapagos
Island Expedition, where he is, according to recent letters, doing splendid
work. Dr. F. E. Blaisdell had one of his two cases of Coleoptera over-
turned by the earthquake. This of course resulted in the mangling of
many of his specimens. All specimens of Eleodes loaned to him for pur-
poses of study, were uninjured. The collection of Coccidae belonging to
Mr. E. M. Ehrhorn, was, so far as I could learn, unharmed. My own
collection of Coleoptera was also unharmed. I simply lost all that was in
my down-town office.
As a whole, our greatest loss will be our libraries, every big one in the
city being burned. The Academy of Science simply saved its records,
about one set of its own publications, and six other volumes. Our good
friends among the scientific institutions of the country could therefore be
of great assistance to us if they would reserve as complete a set of their
publications as possible for us until the time when one will have a proper
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 223
place to deposit them and our finances in condition to begin purchasing
them. For some time we will have to depend upon the libraries of our
two universities.
This has been a tremendous blow to us all and rare is the person who
has not lost something. First was the earthquake, which, though caus-
ing the loss of a great many lives and much destruction, would not have
been greatly noticed. It was the fire that did the great damage, destroy-
ing all of the city, except a mere fringe of residences. Dr. Blaisdell and
I were fortunately in this belt. The Academy was so much injured by
the earthquake that it was only with the greatest difficulty that what few
things were saved could be gotten out. Our Director, Mr. Loomis ; our
Botanist, Miss Eastwood ; and our Librarian, Miss Hyde, did what they
could.
The loss in valuables, such as books, pictures, bric-a-brac, records, etc.,
has been tremendous, for San Francisco was a wealthy city, and had
many priceless things stored in both public and private places. Of his-
toric places we saved but two, the Museum Dolores and the U. S. Mint.
The Pioneer Hall, with its old records and historic relics is a ruin. For-
tunately the H. H. Bancroft Library of Early California Records, a price-
less library of its kind, now belonging to the University of California, was
saved. All other libraries were burned ; the Sutro with about two hun-
dred thousand volumes, particularly rich in Shakesperiana and Fifteenth
and Sixteenth Century books and manuscripts ; the Public, the Mechan-
ics-Mercantile, the Library of St. Ignatius College, where were stored
many very valuable original manuscripts, all law libraries, and the library
of our own Academy. In the latter, we calculate that we had about
twenty-five thousand dollars' worth of books which cannot be duplicated.
There was, fortunately, a great deal of money stored in the Mint and
in our banks, which will soon be available. This will enable our busi-
ness people, who are working like trojans, to begin on the work of re-
building, almost immediately. In a few years our city will be fairer and
almost as extensive as ever. It will always be great to those who love
it, and though it may secure many new valuables, will I fear never have
again many of the things that some of us knew it possessed.
The conditions now are somewhat like those in a bristling frontier set-
tlement. The streets in the unburned districts are crowded, signs are
everywhere, big firms doing business from stores that were formerly
small stock ones, from private residences, or from counters in vacant
lots ; troops patrolling all districts night and day, while all cooking has
still to be done in the streets, all of our chimneys being injured to such an
extent as to make it dangerous to make a fire indoors. Many are being
taken care of by our outlying cities and towns, and many have gone to
distant relatives or locations. There are, however, a sufficient number
whose interests or whose love is too great to allow of their leaving the
stricken city. The blow, while falling heavily upon the wealthy, will
cause most suffering among the small clerks, and next among the pro-
224 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Tune, '06
fessional people. Many of the latter lost their all and have been obliged
to leave town. The mechanics and laborers will have more work than
they can attend to. In fact, many of the laborers are better cared for
than they have ever been before. This is due to the generosity of our
good friends throughout the world. It enabled the rest of us to get our
breath. Now retail stores are open, and we can begin to live somewhat
as we could before.
Dr. Blaisdell will, I think, be able to remain in town and to continue
his work as before. Mr. Fuchs cannot expect any work for some time to
come from the Academy, but fortunately has his craft to rely upon. He
saved his tools and is already, so I am informed, hard at work. He is
still cheerful. For the benefit of those who wish to communicate with
the burned-out ones, I will give the addresses that I have procured : Mr.
Charles Fuchs, 2322 Bank St., Alameda, Cal.; Dr. F. E. Blaisdell, 1800
O'Farrell St., San Francisco ; Mr. James Cottle, 2117^ Bush St., San
Francisco ; California Academy of Sciences, 1806 Post St., San Francisco.
None of our entomologists were injured and all hopeful for the future.
To all good friends and well-wishers, please give our most heartfelt
thanks. — EDWIN C. VAN DYKE, 2112 Steiner St , San Francisco, Cal.
DR. DVAR'S SQUARE DEALING. — Readers of ENT. NEWS who have
seen a copy of the remarkable paper reviewed in the May number (page
181) will no doubt be interested to learn something about the circumstan-
ces which preceded its preparation and hurried publication. As soon as
Mr. Busck returned from his collecting trip to the West Indies last fall,
and turned over to me the specimens of mosquitoes collected, I at once
began separating the larvae and larval skins into species, intending after-
ward to associate them with the bred adults and then definitely identify
the various species ; in this way both the larvse and the adults would have
been identified with reasonable certainty. Dr. H. G. Dyar, however, to
whom had been promised the immature stages of the mosquitoes for
writing up for the Carnegie monograph, began to clamor for these, de-
manding that they be turned over to him at once, and so persistent and
vehement was he in his demands that an order was issued directing me
to immediately place this material in his possession. I was further
instructed to prepare a provisional list of the bred adults, which I did,
marking with a query those species that I was not certain of, and Dyar
was instructed to correct this list, indicating those cases, if there were
any, where I had confused two species under one name, etc., but this he
refused to do. Instead, he prepared and hurriedly published the paper
referred to, giving my tentative names but without a word of explanation
in regard to their being only provisional, although well aware of the fact
that they were so. Moreover, in several cases he has omitted the mark
of interrogation, while in others he has craftily transferred it from the
name of the species to that of the genus, thus intentionally giving the
false impression that it was the genus and not the species that I was in
doubt about. — D. W. COQUILLETT.
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 225
A NEW ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. — The Hawaiian Entomological
Society was formed December 15, 1904, and the first meeting held Janu-
ary 26, 1905. The present officers are : President, R. C. L. Perkins ;
Vice-President, G. \V. Kirkaldy ; Secretary-Treasurer, Jacob Kolinsky ;
Executive Committee, Otto H. Swezey and D. L. Van Dine ; Editors of
the Proceedings, G. W. Kirkaldy and Otto H. Swezey. Volume I of the
Proceedings (for the year 1905) has been issued. It contains important
and interesting articles, mostly relating to the local fauna. We wish the
new Society great success and prosperity.
As STEMMED polypheiiins cocoons are in order, your readers may be
interested in my experience. I have been collecting about seven winters
in Worcester and Amherst, Mass., and in that time have found on the
average about two attached cocoons each season. All these, except one,
were on white birches (alba, weeping, populifolia and papyracea}. That .
one was on a swamp maple. Of these all, except one on B. populifolia,
were accidentally attached, but that one had a regular stem like a prome-
thea, but very weak and short. This experience seems just the reverse
of Dr. Kunze's, as not one attached cocoon was on oak, or overhanging
a street. On the other hand I have found caterpillars as common on
such trees as the others. A few weeks ago I found a protuethea on some
cultivated bush with sessile leaves, which was made without a stem, but
attached directly. — WM. T. M. FORBES.
ALL the material for my book "The Butterflies of the West Coast"
in the hands of the publishers, including finished books, plates, stereo-
type plates, etc., all is doubtless gone up in smoke, and nothing saved
except a few copies in my hands here. I have not yet had positive infor-
mation from them, but as they were in the centre of the burnt district I
have no hope of anything having been saved. The stereotype plates
being lost, the book will not be reprinted. — W. G. WRIGHT.
DR. McCooK's health is so far restored as to permit him to resume
pulpit and platform duty. He therefor announces that he will accept
engagements for special lectures, singly or in courses, in theological
seminaries, universities, colleges, academies, private schools, scientific
clubs and literary associations.
A list of subjects is appended for selection. An early correspondence is
invited, which may be addressed to Dr. Henry C. McCook, Devon, Pa.:
i. The Home and Habits of American Ants. A general view of ant life
(illustrated) ; 2. Mound-making Ants of the Alleghenies (illustrated) ; 3.
Agricultural and Harvesting Ants (illustrated) ; 4. The Honey Ants of
the Garden-of-the-gods (illustrated) ; 5. Carpenter, Cutting and Slave-
holding Ants (illustrated) ; 6. Maternal Industry and Baby-life of Spiders
(illustrated) ; 7. Trap-door Spiders— their Architecture and Enemies
(illustrated).
226 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
Doings of Societies.
The 1 8th regular quarterly meeting of the Pacific Coast
Entomological Society was held on November 18, 1905, at the
residence of E. M. Ehrhorn, 2524 Filbert Street, San Fran-
cisco. President Fuchs irrthe chair. Fifteen members were
present.
Prof. J. J. Rivers reported thj^taking of Eudamns protens at
Santa Monica, California. "
Prof. J. M. Aldrich gave an interesting talk on Diptera.
Mr. J. G. Grundel reported a trip to the Santa Lucia Mts.,
in San L/uis Obispo Co. He found that the Catocalae about
willows varied greatly in color and selected spots resembling
their coloration ; he wondered whether they were conscious of
their color.
Mr. Fuchs determined some Coleoptera taken by Mr. Grun-
del, namely : Cychnis convergent var., Cicindela oregona, and
Ptcrostichiis castaneipes. He exhibited some Sesiidse bred from
blackberry, peach and wild cherry, and a species of Satyrus
from San Luis Obispo County, a Hepialus sp. , and Catocalae
from Alma, Santa Clara County.
Miss Julia Wright a box of exotic Coleoptera from Ceylon.
Prof. J. M. Aldrich a Calotarsa n. sp. from near Palo Alto,
California.
The i gth regular quarterly meeting of the Pacific
Entomological Societ)' was held at the Cafe Odeon, February
*•
iyth, 1906, No. 8 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco. President
Fuchs in the chair. Twelve members were present.
Prof. J. M. Aldrich gave an interesting talk on collecting
and mounting Diptera. He advised the use of the black
Klaeger pins, especially size No. i, also No. 2 for the larger
specimens, too large pins should not be used. The pin should
be passed through the thorax at centre or to one side, accord-
ing to J^ie value of the median bristles in classification. The
cyanide bottle should always be kept dry within, and speci-
mens should be collected singly and closely watched at the
time for the purpose of learning their habits.
Dr. E. C. Van Dyke read two papers that may be epito-
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 22y
mixed as follows : He first dealt with the genus Leptura, par-
ticular reference being made to the species found in North
America. He spoke of the fact that this, a Palaearctic and
Nearctic genus of about 175 species, was represented in this
country by about 75 species, sev&ral being undescribed, or
about tflree times the number found in Europe.
Two exceptions to the general northern distribution men-
tioned were the two species from»the highlands of Central
Mexico. Mention was then made of the distribution of var-
ious groups of these and the relationship that the various
members bore to each other. A careful study of the species
he said brought out many interesting facts, one being that the
Rocky Mountains alone supported no well-marked species—*
Leptura nigrolineata being considered at most a very weak
one, though they did harbor several rather interesting varieties.
The Sierras, the humid coast belt of the Pacific and the Alle-
ghaniesr each claimed one or more very distinct species. The
Doctor considered that L. quadrillum was closely related to L.
veratrix, and that cubitalis was not a Leptura at all but an
Acm&ops and closely related to basalis.
Later on in the evening he went over the species, and with
the aid of the specimens from his collection and a number
loaned by Mr. Fuchs to make the series more complete,
pointed out many peculiarities.. Of 47 West Coast species
known to him, all but three were shown.
In the second paper an effort was made to show wherein the
fauna of the West Coast more closely resembled that of Europe
and North Asia, than did that to the east of the Rocky Mts.
Mention was made of the statement made many years ago by
Prof. Asa Gray, that the flora of Eastern North America as a
whole was more closely related to that of the Japano-Manchur-
ian region than was that of the west coast.
The insect fauna of the sanie regions was also found to bear
a similar relationship. The reason the Doctor gave for this,
was that the parts of the flora and fauna, which bore this close
relationship, were as a rule restricted to low levels, where
there was both plenty of. sun and moisture. In past geologi-
cal ages tliere was at northern latitudes a great area of com-
paratively low land which made it possible for both these areas
228 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
to gain their species from the same source. The West Coast
could not get this fauna, because at that period it was barri-
caded at the north by great highlands, or else densely forested
and quite cool lowlands, districts which the more sun-loving
species would not penetrate. The mountains and cool-loving
species of the Eastern Continent would here, however, find a
congenial home, and as much as the mountain systems of the
two Continents there came in close touch with each other, it
was a simple matter that there should result a settlement of both
regions with a related fauna. This is what no doubt occurred
and it is with regard to this fauna — the fauna of the mount-
ains and the cool lowlands, that the West Coast is more closely
related to the Palaearctic than is that of the eastern part of this
country.
In order to bring out this point the more forcibly, he gave
the distribution of all the known species of certain genera of
the Silphidae, the list including the following : Nccrop/rilns,
Hadrame, Pelates, Pteroloma, Agyrtes, Sphccritcs (one of the
Nitidulid;e, according to Ganglbauer), Lyrosoma, Pinodytes,
Platycholcus. L/ater on, a box containing all of the American
species of this group with the exception of Pinodytes hamiltom
was shown, a new species of Pteroloma among the number.
Dr. F. E. Blaisdell stated that considerable time had been
spent on the Gyrinidae, and that they needed revision. He
also stated that he had taken a large series of Gyrinus parcus at
San Diego, California, a species heretofore not credited to the
State, but from Texas.
Mr. F. W. Nunenmacher stated that he had for exhibition a
box of Hyperaspis arranged according to Casey's classification.
H. j.-oculata appears as the western form of undulata.
Mr. Chas. Fuchs read a paper on a trip to the Fort Tejon
region.
Mr. Nunenmacher exhibited two new species of Hyperaspis^
and a series of H. dissoluta Cr. as an extreme form of undulata.
Dr. Van Dyke the Lepturae of the U. S. illustrating distri-
butional areas.
Miss Julia Wright a box of exotic Coleoptera.
Dr. Blaisdell a box of Californian Gyrinidae.
F. E. BLAISDELL, M.D., Secretary.
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 22Q
A meeting of the American Entomological Society was held
April 26, 1906. Dr. Philip P. Calvert, President, in the chair.
Thirteen persons present.
H. W. Wenzel donated a collection of blind Carabidse from
caves in Austria.
A letter was read from Dr. C. Brunner von Wattenwyl,
acknowledging his election as a corresponding member.
Mr. Henry L,. Viereck made a communication on the nests
of wild digger-bees. Dr. McCook found about two hundred
such nests on his place at Devon, and Mr. Viereck made casts
of about a dozen of these. They ranged from eleven to twelve
inches in depth, and were mostly straight, with a lateral at the
end. A cast and entrance of nest were exhibited and the
method of making the former explained.
Mr. Rehn exhibited some new or rare Orthoptera, among
them a new and large Phasmid from Tonkin, and a new Man-
tis from the Huachuca Mts.
Mr. Ilg exhibited a specimen of Biston ursarius new to him
and taken at Philadelphia.
Dr. Skinner exhibited a new Acmceodera from the Huachuca
Mts., Arizona.
Mr. Rehn spoke of the collection of Orthoptera made by
Prof. Snow at San Bernardino Ranch, Arizona, and the inter-
esting species found. Stagmomantis limbata and Carolina were
mentioned and the differences in their anatomy pointed out.
Dr. Calvert exhibited a section of a grass-hopper in which a
malphigian tube passed into the dorsal blood vessel or heart.
He also said he had kept a lubber grass-hopper (Dictyophorus
reticulatis) alive in captivity for four months and two weeks.
Mr. Rehn said the species had been found as far north as
South Carolina. HENRY SKINNER, Secretary.
PROF. M. J. ELROD, in studying the Hesperidce for his interesting work
on the Butterflies of Montana (Bulletin No. 30, University of Montana),
evidently used a revision based on male secondary sexual characters, as
the figure called Ochlodes sassacus 9 on page 156 is a Noctuid, Melic-
leftria sueta Grote. No doubt the table he followed ran out quite natu-
rally to this moth. — HENRY SKINNER.
230 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '06
Mr. Roland Hay ward.
Mr. Roland Hay ward died suddenly at his home on Brush Hill
Road, in Milton, Mass., on April nth. He was born March 7,
1865, and was the son of Isaac Davenport and Mary Bartlett
(Vose) Hayward, and was born and died, as did his father be-
fore him, in the house on the estate that had been owned by
his family for eight generations. He was a member of the
Harvard Class of 1886, though ill health in his senior year pre-
vented him from taking the examinations for his degree.
He was for fifteen years a member of the Boston Stock Ex-
change, and senior partner of the firm of Hayward & Town-
send, bankers and brokers, but a few years ago retired from
active business, as his health was never robust and he wished
to devote himself to scientific pursuits.
He was an ardent entomologist and possessed a fine collec-
tion of Coleoptera and an excellent scientific library. He was
a member of the Boston Society of Natural Histor)7, which
he joined when a boy, and was treasurer of the Cambridge
Entomological Club.
He was a lover of nature and delighted in long walks in the
woods and pastures about his old home. He was a man of the
strictest integrity, and generous and loyal to his friends. He
was not married, and leaves one brother, Dr. George G. Hay-
ward, and one sister, Mrs. Henry W. Cunningham.
Mr. Hayward was particularly interested in the Carabidse,
and did important work in that family. His studies of Bcm-
bidium and Tacky s are well known. He was a careful and
conscientious worker. An important work on the genus
Amara was just finished before he died. His large collection
has been bequeathed to the Museum of Comparative Zoology,
at Harvard College. His library will go to the Public Library,
in the town of Milton, Massachusetts.
WANTED. — Help in procuring Pennsylvania insects and data or data
alone of correctly determined species of Pennsylvania insects of all kinds.
I desire name and locality and notes on food, enemies, habits and haunts,
if possible, for publishing in a full list of the insects of Pennsylvania.—
Address H. A. SURFACE, Economic Zoologist, Harrisburg, Pa.
THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE WEST COAST
COLORED PHOTOGRAPHIC FIGURES AND DESCRIPTIVE TEXT OF EVERY
SPECIES ON THE WEST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES
For Libraries, Students and Experts
In the great fire at San Francisco, in April, 1906, all the
material and books in the publishers' hands was lost, including
the stereotype plates, so that the book cannot be reprinted. A
few copies were in the author's hands in another city, and were
not burned. The original publishers have relinquished all
rights in the book, and have none for sale. The price is ad-
vanced to $10 per copy. For sale only by the author.
W. G. WRIGHT, 445 F. ST., SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
ILLUSTRATIONS OF
DIURNAL LEPIDOPTERA
WITH DESCRIPTIONS
BY ANDREW GRAY WEHKS, JR., 190$
117 pages and 45 colored plates, by J. Henry Blake, ad. nat.,
and B. Meisel, lithographer, descriptive of 81 species hitherto
undescribed or figured, mostly from Bolivia, with steel plate
frontispiece of Samuel Hubbard Scudder.
The plates cover all species described and represent the limit
of perfection in lithographic art, being considered equal to. or
superior to, any previous productions. $15.00 postage paid.
H. PECK, AGENT, 8 CONGRESS STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
RARE ARIZONA INSECTS FOR SALE
Orders taken for Amblychila baroni, Plusiotis beyeri, P. lecontei, Oncideres
quercus, Byrsopolis lanigera. Neophasia terlooti, and other rare butterflies
and moths. Fine fresh specimens of Plusiotis gloriosa, $1.00. Pup^e of
Crinodes biedermani, $2.50 each. Images, after July, $5.00. Apply to
C. K. BIEDERMAN, Palmerlee, Cochise County, Arizona.
CAPABLE ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGIST FOR FIELD WORK FROM MAT 1st, OR
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F. L. WASHBURN, Experiment Station, St. Anthony Park, Minn.
When Writing Please Mention " Kntomnloeiral New*."
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We manufacture all kinds of insect boxes and cases (Schmitt insect boxes,
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SEPTEMBER, 1906.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
Vol. XVII.
No. 9.
if 7
Limnophila aspidoptera Coquillett.
EDITOR :
HENRY SKINNER, M. D.
PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D., Associate Editor
EZRA T. CRKSSON.
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ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
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The only dealers' list giving authors' names throughout. 100 named speci-
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Revision of the Ptinidae of Boreal America, by H. C. Fall. 200 pp., i pi
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HYMENOPXERA
Notes on Some Bees in the British Museum, by T. D. A. Cockerell.
56 pp. (Trans., 1905) . .50
Synopsis of Euceridae, Emphoridce and Anthophoridae, by Charles Rob-
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Descriptions of new species of Neotropical Hymenoptera ; Descriptions
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pp. (Trans., 1905) .20
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ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL- XVII.
SEPTEMBER, 1906.
No. 7.
CONTENTS:
Rowley — Hunting Catocalae in daylight 231
Rehn — A new species of Eotettix (Acridi-
d;e) from Georgia 234
Davis and Joutel — Observations on Ci-
cada tibicen L. aud allied forms. . . 237
Cockerell — Preoccupied generic names
of Coleoptera 240
Milrlidl — Notes mi Tampus dyari 244
Smith— Some new Larrida; from Neb. 246
Nason — Parasitic Hymenoptera of Al-
gonquin, Illinois — V 249
Hancock — On the Orthopteran genus
Ageneotettix, with a description of
a new species from Illinois 251
S\vcnk — New bees of the genus Colletes 257
Editorial 261
Entomological Literature 262
Notes and News 263
Doings of Societies 265
Hunting Catocalae by Daylight.
BY R. R. ROWLEY, Louisiana, Mo.
From the standpoint of a laborer, chasing Catocalae through
the tangled shrubs and vines of a valley, up the hillside, over
logs and stumps, under a noonday sun of mid-July, protected
only by the friendly shade of the dense foliage, is an exercise
that the most energetic might not despise.
Divested of coat and vest, we had scarcely entered the little
valley before we were dripping wet with perspiration.
Blinded by sweat and attacked by gnats and mosquitoes, the
chase was anything but pleasant, and to add to our discomfit-
ure, swarms of bloodthirsty Chrysops pursued us relentlessly.
These villainous little dipters, bolder than our other torment-
ors, feared neither the hand nor the hat, and desisted only in
death.
Up the little dry run, beneath the naked roots of a venera-
ble elm, we first came upon the quarry.
The net had been discarded, and with cyanide jar alone the
shadowy nooks were closely scanned for the color-protected
231
232 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
prey. In a particularly dark corner, fast asleep, a handsome
specimen of Catocala cara was trapped. His flutterings in the
jar was of short duration and how our hearts beat a tattoo as
we made him a prisoner. The beauty of his under wings was
a balm for all our sufferings. A few specimens of C. innubens
were taken at the same rendezvous, and we moved on up the
valley, poking under overhanging banks and among the roots
of trees half undermined.
Turning our course np the side of the hill we scrutinized the
bark of trees for the black-hind-winged species and took C.
epione and C. retecta on hickory. Other trees gave us the
lordly neogama.
As the July days waned and August suns scorched the
droughty hill sides, other species were added to the list ;
palteogama, habilis and residua on hickory and hidden away
in the foliage of the Virginia creeper.
Arnica was abundant on oak in early July, and Judith spar-
ingly on hickory, residua and lucetta scarce at all times. An
occasional specimen of piatrix on walnut, and the gaudy ama-
trix on bark of like color to his own upper wings.
The first cara did not furnish us greater delight than the
first vidiia that flew at our approach across a little ravine and
folded his wings against the bark of a hickory sapling. His
capture was comparatively easy, and such a choice fellow he
was, " without spot or blemish."
Mr. E. Dodge slipped away to a particularly dense wood and
took lachrymosa,) but the writer never caught sight of that
species, though he afterward tramped through its haunts again
and again.
On the first day of September we were fortunate enough to
take two fine specimens of robinsoni on butternut and hickory.
These were the last of our catches as the weather was never
favorable after that date.
Hidden in the cracks of the bark and the irregularities near
the base of one grizzled old elm, at least a dozen specimens of
neogama and innubens were routed out of their lurking places
on several different occasions. The hollows of old stumps and
often the loose bark of dead trees furnished many specimens of
innubens and its variety scintillans.
Sept., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 233
Alone, one hot day in August, we were tramping along the
south hillside, when a large moth flew from the very base of a
hickory, straight down the hill toward the bottom. So yellow
did he look at the first glance that we decided it must be an io.
He was so suspicious of our actions that he would not allow a
near approach, but a second glimpse convinced us that he was
a Catocala, but we could not determine him specifically. To
follow him was an easy matter, both because of his size and
bright color when on the wing. We were so near him once
that we had the top of the cyanide jar off and were about ready
to make a final move when he was off again like an arrow.
After that, though we followed him to the head of the hol-
low, we were unable to get near him, and finally darting away
with several innubens, he was lost altogether. It was the
bitterest disappointment of the season, and even now it makes
us sick at heart to think what a treasure was almost in our
grasp only to slip away. If we had been nervous when we
trapped a cara or a vidua, we had a real spell of "buck ager"
when the great yellow moth led us the chase up the little val-
ley. It was the most conspicuous Catocola we ever saw.
At one particularly dark spot beneath a half up-rooted tree
base, on the bank of the little brook, we always found a fine
cara awaiting us. Day after day we took a fresh one there.
Once two were within three inches of each other, but the cap-
ture of one frightened away the other, so our faithful old tree
could never promise us more than one a trip.
A single specimen of C. uxor was taken on an oak trunk by
our companion, Mr. Ralph Rowley, on one August trip.
Anyone who has collected Catocala by daylight knows that
the insect rests with its head down on the bark, the front wings
entirely covering the treacherously colored hind ones.
With wings half erect, exposing the highly colored second-
aries and head up instead of down when he is on the alert or
frightened, the chances of placing the mouth of the cyanide
bottle over the wary moth are few. Once thoroughly fright-
ened a Catocala is hard to catch.
The tree trunks should be closely inspected before using a
stick to dislodge any unobserved moths, as chases after fright-
234 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
ened specimens are often fruitless, besides rubbing the stick up
and down the bark may strike the moth and ruin it for cabinet
purposes. However, a "rousting" stick is indispensable, as
the moths are sometimes out of the reach of the jar. Climbing
may be resorted to in such cases where possible. Hot days are
the best for Catocalae hunting, but not necessarily sunshiny
days.
It has been a puzzle to us to know just what elements of
weather constitute a Catocala day. A sultry, sunshiny day
was our first impression, but we sometimes found hot cloudy
days just as good.
It is quite probable that after a night of rain the moths take
refuge nearer the ground than at other times.
Often, unaccountably, there was a scarcity when we expec-
ted an abundance, and again when we expected little we reaped
a real harvest, still on hot, bright days there were always
moths to be found, high or low.
About dead stumps and old logs we never took other than
innubens and scintillans, with an occasional neogama.
White-barked trees, like butternut and hickory, shelter the
species with light colored upper wings, while the dark-barked
trees furnish protection to the .species with darker upper wings.
As a matter of fact, each moth seeks the shelter that makes
his color inconspicuous. So nearly are the bark and the closed
upper wings of the moth alike in color that even a trained eye
is often deceived, a most interesting case of protective colora-
tion.
A new species of Eotettix (Acrididae) from Georgia.
BY J. A. G. REHN.
On January 6, 1906, Mr. Morgan Hebard took a male indi-
vidual of this genus at Tyty Plantation, south of Thomasville
and immediately north of the Florida line, in Thomas County,
Georgia. The specimen proved to represent a very distinct
new species, which I take great pleasure in dedicating to Mr.
Hebard.
Sept., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
235
Eotettix hebardi n. sp.
Type. — £ . Tyty Plantation, Thomas Co., Georgia, Janu-
ary 6, 1906. Hebard collection.
Allied to E. signatus Scudder, but differing in the narrower
interspace between the eyes, the broad frontal costa, the ab-
sence of distinct lateral carinse on the cephalic section of the
prozona, the rounded caudal margin of the metazona, the
FIG, i. — /-',</, •//;> hrbardi n. sp. Lateral vk-\v of type. (-X4.)
slightly broader interspace between the mesosternal lobes, the
shorter and more rounded tegmina, the shorter furcula, the
clavate cerci and less distinct tubercle of the subgenital plate,
as well as some details of the coloration.
The form of the tegmina resembles E. pn-
si Hits Morse, but hebardi is separated from that
species by the size and the form of the frontal
costa. From E. pahistris Morse the new form
can be separated by the shape of the supra-
anal plate and cerci and by numerous color
characters.
The shape of the cerci, the rather thick
blunt form of the prosternal spine and the
lack of distinct lateral carinse, as well as the
Dor- broad frontal costa seen in this species are at
sal view of apt-x of
male abdomen, (x 8.) variance with Scudder's generic description,
but this probably requires modification as Scudder knew but
one of the four species now credited to the genus.
236 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
Form slender, slightly compressed. Head with the occiput distinctly
arched dorsad of the level of the pronotum ; interocular space nar-
rower than any portion of the frontal costa ; fastigium distinctly but
not strongly declivent, sulcate ; face considerably retreating ; frontal
costa broad, slightly but regularly expanding ventrad, not sulcate ;
eyes large, moderately prominent when viewed dorsad, subovate in
outline, the cephalic margin somewhat flattened, length about twice
that of the infra-ocular sulcus ; antennae slightly longer than the head,
pronotum and tegmina united, proximal joint narrower than the dorsal
section of the frontal costa. Pronotum slightly tectate, the dorsum nar-
row, the greatest width contained nearly twice in the length ; cephalic
margin arcuato-truncate, with a very slight median emargination ; meta-
zona very closely and deeply punctate ; median carina distinct but not
high, lateral carina indicated only by a blunt angle on both the pro-
zona and metazona, and a line of coarse punctures on the otherwise
smooth prozona ; principal tranverse sulcus distinct, cutting the median
carina at a point distant from the caudal margin about two-fifths the pro-
notal length ; lateral lobes very considerably longer than deep, the ceph-
alic and caudal margins oblique, ventral margin obtuse-angulate. Teg-
mina about four-fifths the length of the pronotum, subovate, the greatest
width about two-thirds the length, apical section rounded, subtruncate,
veins moderately distinct and closely placed, the sutural margins of the
tegmina separated by a space as wide as the frontal costa. Prosternal
spine erect, slightly retrorse, thick, blunt. Interspace between the meso-
sternal lobes nearly twice as long as broad ; metasternal lobes sub-attin-
gent. Abdomen distinctly compressed, except caudad, the extremity be-
ing but slightly upturned. Furcula as long as the segment from which they
arise, flattened, tips divergent. Supra-anal plate elongate-trigonal, deeply
sulcate mesad, broadly and rather shallowly sulcate laterad. Cerci tap-
ering in the proximal half, slender mesad, distinctly expanded distad.
rounded dorsad, and with a rectangulate lobule ventrad, the distal half
distinctly bent mesad, and falling slightly short of the tip of the supra-
anal plate. Subgenital plate with the apical margin strongly curved, the
apical tubercle thick, blunt and separated dorsad from the apical margin
by a depression. Cephalic and median femora robust, inflated, the ceph-
alic subfusiform. Caudal femora moderately slender ; caudal tibiae with
fifteen spines on the external margins.
General color raw umber. Head with two widening patches of seal-
brown on the occiput, postocular bars distinct and moderately wide, of
shining black ; eyes burnt umber. Pronotum touched with burnt umber
dorsad ; postocular bar present on the prozona, slightly broader than
on the head and with the ventral border more undulate than the dorsad,
shining black. Tegmina near Prout's brown. Abdomen with a broad
bar of blackish on the lateral face, broken on most of the segments
into a blackish suffusion or blackish spots on the caudal margins of the
segment. Caudal femora touched with russet, the genicular arches and
Sept., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 237
the greater portion of the lobes on both faces blackish ; caudal tibiae very
dull olive-yellow, marked with blackish proximad and the spines of the
same color.
MEASUREMENTS :
Length of body ....... 22. mm.
Length of pronotum ...... 5.
Length of tegmen 3.6 '
Length of caudal femur .... 12.5 '
Mr. Hebard has kindly furnished the following note on the
capture of the type : " The specimen was taken in the long-
leaf pine (Pinus palustris} woods on a very cold day. All
other forms of insect life seemed absent, but I noticed this
individual springing about in the jasmine and wire grass with
great alacrity. It spite of the cold it appeared vigorous, and
when released from my pocket in a warm room, sprang about
rapidly, jumping several feet at each spring.
Observations on Cicada tibicen L. and allied forms.
BY WM. T. DAVIS AND Louis H. JOUTEL.
Dr. Harris in his "Insects Injurious to Vegetation"1 de-
scribes Cicada canicularis, which he compares with Cicada
pruinosa of Say. He also mentions in a foot-note Cicada tibi-
cen of Linnaeus, which he states is even quite common within
the limits of the City of New York. Prof. Uhler commenting
on canicularis in another foot-note says : "this is nothing more
than a local variety of C. pruinosa Say ; there is no persistency
in the form and length of the abdominal valves, and the color-
ation and extent of pruinescence upon the insect depend upon
various contingencies to which it is liable."
Mr. Chas. William Woodworth in his " Synopsis of North
American Cicadidse," published in Psyche, in June, 1888, fol-
lows the lead of Prof. Uhler, and under Cicada tibicen Linn.,
places as synonyms both Cicada pruinosa and Cicada canicularis.
Most authors have, since Prof. Uhler's note, classed the three
species mentioned by Dr. Harris as one, or at most have con-
sidered that Cicada canicularis might be entitled to specific
rank.
238
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Sept., '06
To this view the authors of the present paper cannot sub-
scribe, and after having examined about one hundred individ-
uals of what Mr. Woodworth would call tibicen, we are strongly
of the opinion that there are three species. We were first led
to this view by observing the songs and distribution of the
Cicadas about New York City, and later we found that the
specimens could be easily separated into three series.
TABLE FOR SEPARATING THE MALES.
NAME
AVERAGE
SIZE
VALVES
OR
OPERCULA
LAST
VENTRAL
SEGMENT
COLOR, ETC.
Thorax with few green or
brownish marks.
Longer than
Nearly
White spots at base of ab-
C.pruinosa
31-33 mm.
broad.
V-shaped
domen conspicuous.
S-io mm. long
Abdomen light colored and
pruinose beneath.
Thorax with many green
or brownish marks.
As broad as
White spots at base of ab-
C. libicen
30-32 mm.
long
5-6 mm. long
More
U-shaped
domen rarely conspicuous ;
most often absent.
Abdomen pruinose beneath
on sides ; central portion
shining black.
Markings similar to the
Broader than
last, with spots at base of ab-
C. canicularis
25-30 mm.
long
3-4 mm. long
More
U-shaped
domen rarely present ; more
pubescent than either pnii-
nosa or tibicen.
The description of Cicada tibicen by Linnaeus would do
equally well for the other two species considered below, but
we have confined it to what, in our opinion, was the insect
Dr. Harris had in mind from Manhattan Island, in New York
City. In addition, there is no doubt as to the insect Dr. Har-
ris described as canicularis, and the pruinosa of Say is nearly
as well characterized.
What we have called the last ventral segment in the follow-
Sept., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 239
ing table is the gouge-shaped piece which terminated the abdo-
men of the male Cicada on the under side.
The females of Cicada pruinosa are, as a rule, larger than the
other two species, and the colors are as given for the males.
Cicada tibiccn females have the many green or brownish mark-
ings on the thorax, and the abdomen beneath with the central
portion shining black. Cicada camcularis is the smallest of the
three, and the females, as well as the males, are more nearly
covered with a fine pubescence, which is often quite conspicu-
ous on the dorsal surface of the abdomen.
It will be observed from the characters mentioned, and much
more markedly from a series of specimens, that Cicada tibiccn
and Cicada caniailaris are more nearly related to each other
than to Cicada pruinosa.
Cicada pruinosa is abundant on Staten Island, where its
energetic song forms a conspicuous part of the insect melody
of mid-summer. In the collection of New Jersey Cicadas ex-
amined by us through the courtesy of Prof. J. B. Smith and
Mr. Edgar L. Dickerson, there are specimens from New Bruns-
wick and the Orange Mountains.
deaden tibicen is not so common as the last species on Staten
Island, but is more abundant on Manhattan Island, as at Mt.
Morris Park for instance. It is also to be found on top of the
Palisades at Fort Lee. Other localities are New Brunswick,
Bayside and near Normanock in New Jersey. Its song is not
so energetic or loud as that of pruinosa.
Cicada caniailaris is more especially to be found on some of
the sandy portions of Staten Island, and is otherwise widely
distributed. We have seen specimens from Lakehurst, Sparta
;m<l Chester in New Jersey; from Sullivan Co., New York ;
Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River, and Lake St.
Joseph, Quebec. Its song is quite different in tone from that
of the other two species, and it may be told by it alone.
Mr. Cockroach.— " The doctor tells me that I have one foot in the
grave."
Mr. Centipede. — " Oh, I wouldn't let a little thing like that worry me."
240 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
„
Preoccupied Generic names of Coleoptera.
BY T. D. A. COCKERELL.
Ill the course of my work on the list of Coleoptera of New
Mexico, I have been struck by the number of preoccupied
generic names which are still allowed to stand in our cata-
logues. It occurred to me that it would be a useful service to
make a complete list of these, and to this end I have examined
every name given as valid in Henshaw's list, with respect to
homonomy. As a result, I find nearly fifty names which are
absolute homonyms, and a large number which differ from
earlier named only in some minor feature (e. g. termination
indicating gender), and would be considered homonyms by
many. These latter should not, I think, be disturbed. I
have not examined the names of the numerous genera described
in recent years, since the publication of Henshaw's catalogue.
In my manuscript, I have provided substitute names for nearly
all the homonyms, but only part of them are given here, as
although I have made much search for available synonyms
myself, and the list has been kindly looked over by Mr. Fall,
there is still a probability that several available substitute
names will be discovered in the older literature. It is hoped
that those who are aware of such will record them.
CARABIDyE.
1. Diplochelia Brulle, 1835 (Diplochila of our lists), is Rembus, Latr.>
1817. The latter name was alleged to be preoccupied, but ap-
parently in error ; hence it should be used for our species.
2. DiaphorusT)&)., 1831 (not Meig., 1824).
3. Euproctus Sol., 1851 (not Gene"., 1840).
4. Nothopus Lee., 1852, is Euryderus Lee., 1848, not Eurydera Lap. I
do not consider these names the same, and think that Eury-
derus should be restored.
HYDROPHILID^.
5. Helopeltis Horn, 1873 (not Signoret, 1858) == Helopeliina n. n.; spe-
cies Helopeltina larvalis (Horn).
SILPHID^E.
6. Pelates Horn, 1880 (not Fisch, not Cuvier) == Pelatines n. n.; spe-
cies Pelatines latus (Mann.).
7. Aglyptus Lee., 1866 (not Foerst, 1856) == Aglyptinm n. n,; species
Aglyptinus Iccvis (Lee.).
Sept., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 241
STAPHYLINID^:.
8. Polystoma Steph., 1835 (not Zed., 1800) ; Emplenota Casey, 1884, is
available.
8. Tanygnathus'Er., 1837 (notWagl., 1832).
10. 7 ' rigonophorus Nordrn., 1837 (not Hope, 1831, not Steph., 1829).
11. Megalops Er. (not Lace"p., 1803).
12. Ephelis Fauvel, 1883 (not Lederer, 1863) = Ephelinus n. n.; species
Ephelinius guttatus (Lee.), E. pallidus (Lee.), E. notatns
(Lee.).
TRICHOPTERYGID^E.
13. Trichopteryx Kirby, 1826 (not Huebner, 1816).
COCCINELLID^E.
14. Dfegilla Mulsant, 1851 (not Fabr., for a genus of bees). Paranocniia
Casey, 1899, includes our J\l. vittigera.
15. Mysia Mulsant, 1846 (not Gray, 1840, or Brown, 1827). Neoinysia
Casey, 1888 (not Neomysis Czern., 1887), is available.
ENDOMYCHID^E.
16. Symbiotes Redt.^iSsS (not Gerl., 1857). Eponoinastiis Buysson,
1891, is available ; species Eponomaslus ulkei (Cr. ), E. minor
(Cr.).
COLYDIID^E.
17. Eiidesma Lee., 1863 (not Ehr., 1838) — Eudesmula n. n. ; species
Eudesmtila undulata (Melsh.).
CUCUJID^:.
18. Ino Lap., 1835 (not Leach, 1819, not Oken, 1815).
CRYPTOPHAGID^E.
19. To-marns Lee., 1861 (not Erichs, 1847).
DERMESTID^.
20. Acolpus Jayne (not Brandt, 1835).
DASCYLLIDJ:.
21. Allopogon Horn., 1880 (not Schiner, 1866) == Allopogonia n. n.;
species Allopogonia villosa (Horn).
22. Arccopus Lee., 1874 (not Spinola). I have not the exact date of the
Spinolian name, but it is certainly older. The beetle-genus
may be Arccopidius n. n. ; species Arccopidius inotiachus (Lee).
ELATERID^:.
23. Thar ops Lap., 1835 (not Huebner, 1816).
24. Cryptostoma Latr., 1825 (not Blainv., 1818) == PaLrn \ cniis Horn.
25. Asaphcs Kirby, 1837 (not Walker, 1834) = //tin iin-piitiits Cienn.
242 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
.
THROSCIM;.
26. Drapetes Redt., 1849 (not Meg., 1821). There is also Drapetis
Meig., 1822.
LAMPYRIDvE.
27. dcnia Newman, 1838 (not Desv., 1830) == Cczniella n. n. ; species
Cceniella dimidiata (Fabr. ), C. amplicornis (Lee.).
CLERIDyE.
28. Elasmocerus Lee., 1849, is Monophylla Spin., 1841 (not Monophyllus
Leach). If we accept the "one-letter rule" Monophylla should
be restored.
PTINID^E.
29. Theca Muls., 1860 (not Sowerby, 1845). Stagetus Woll., 1861, is
available; species Stagetus profundus (Lee.).
30. Bradycinetus Horn., 1871 (not Sars, 1865) == Bradycinetulus n. n. ;
species Bradycinetulus ferrugineus (Beauv.), B. fossa tor
(Hald. ), B. serratus Lee.), B. horni (Rivers).
CERAMBYCIDrE.
31. Eustroma Lee., 1873 (not Hubner) == Eusfromula n. n. ; species
Eustromula valida (Lee.).
32. sEthccerus Chevr., 1862 (notWesm., 1845).
CHRYSOMELID^e.
33. Monachus Chevr. , 1834 (not Kaup, 1829).
TENEBRIONIDvE.
34. Cnemodus Horn., 1870 (not Schaeff., 1850) == Cnenwdinus n. n.;
species Cnemodinus testaceus (Horn).
35. Noserus Lee., 1862 (not Foerst, 1862 ; not Noserius Pascoe, 1857.)
36. Eupsophus Horn., 1870 (not Fitzinger, date uncertain, but much
earlier) -- Enpsophuhis n. n. ; species Eupsophulus castaneus
(Horn).
37. Aphanotus Lee., 1862 (not Lowe, doubtless earlier).
^EGIALITID^E.
38. sEgialites Mann, (not Boie, 1822).
OTHNIID/E.
39. Othnius Lee., 1861, is Elacatis Pascoe, 1860. The latter was "pre-
occupied" by Elacate Cuvier, and should I think be restored.
The family, however, cannot be called Elacatida;, because
Elacate is the type of a family Elacatidte, in fishes.
Sept., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 243
MELANDRYIDyE.
40. Carebara Lee., 1862 (not Westw., 1841) == Rushia Forel, 1893;
species Rushia longula (Lee.).
MELOID^E.
Zonoitoides Fairm., 1883 (not American) is a homonym of Zonifoides
Lehm., 1862.
OTIORHYNCHIDyE.
41. Rhypodes Horn, 1876 (not Stal, 1874) = Rhypodillus n. n. ; species
Rhypodillus dilatatus (Horn), R. brevicollis (Horn).
CURCULIONID^:.
42. Triglyphus Lee., 1876 (not Loew, 1840) =- Triglyphulus n. n.; spe-
cies Triglyphulus ater (Lee.).
43. Macrops Ki.rby, 1837 (not Burm., 1835, or Wagl., 1830) == Hypero-
des Jek., 1864; species Hyperodes vittaticollis (Kirby), H.
humilis (Gyll. ), H. hirtellus (Dietz), H. wickhami (Dietz), H.
sparsus (Say), etc.
44. Eudociinus Schonh., 1836 (not Wagl., 1832).
45. Coelogaster Schonh., 1837 (not Schrank, 1780). Two other homo-
nyms are Coelogaster Ashmead, 1893, and Coelogaster Schulze,
1896.
46. Plocamus Lee., 1876 (not Dejean, 1834).
CALANDRID/E.
47. Himatium Woll., 1873 (not Clark, 1860) == Himatinum n. n.; spe-
cies Himatinum errans (Lee.), H. conic urn (Lee.), H. nigri-
tulum (Casey).
48. Wollastonia Horn, 1872 (not Heer, 1852) == Wollastoniella n. n.;
species Wollastoniella quercicola (Boh.').
ANTHRIBIDyE.
49. Ischnocerus 1839 (not Grav., 1829).
50. Phienicobius Lee., 1876 (not Morch, 1852) = Phcenicob iella n. n. ;
species Phoenicobiella chanucropis (Lee.).
It is greatly to be hoped that the "one-letter rule" will pre-
vail ; that is to say, that no name will be considered a homo-
nym unless preoccupied by one spelled in exactly the same
way. It necessarily goes with this, that the spelling of names
must never be changed from the original, except in the case of
a misprint. There are many names in our list of Coleoptera
which have been so changed, and they should, I believe, all
244 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
be restored to the original form. To give some idea of the
disaster that will result from the interpretation of homonymy
which is prevalent in certain quarters,* I will cite some of the
Coleopterous names which would fall.
Agraphus Schonh, 1834, not Agrapha Hubn., 1816.
Amblycheha Say, 1834, " Amblychilus Fisch., 1813.
Amphicerus Lee., 1861, Amphiceras Gray, 1847.
Aphorista Gohr., 1873, " Aphoristia Kaup., 1858.
Ap/astusLec., 1859, " Aplasta Hubn., 1816, or Schaum, 1844.
Arhopalus Serv., 1834, " Arhopala Boisd., 1832.
Asemnm Esch., 1830, " Asemits Ranz., 1820.
Atimia Hald., 1847, " Atimits Dejean.
Chromatia Lee., 1862, Chromatium Perty, 1852.
Chrysophana Lee., 1859, " Chrysophanus Hubn., 1816.
Coenonycha Horn., 1876, " Coenonica Kraatz, 1857.
Colastus Erichs, 1843, " Colastes Hal., 1833.
Conoecus Horn, " Conoeca Scott, 1865.
Dromius Bon., 1813, " Dromia Fabr., 1798.
Euphoria Burm., 1842, Euphorus Nees, 1834.
Polyphylla Harr., 1841, " Polyphyllia^an^]), 1833.
In the case of the following, I do not know which has priority :
Morio^LaAr., 1810 (Coleop. ) and Morio Montfr, 1810 (Mollusca) .
Cyllene Newman, 1840 (Coleop.) and Cyllene Gray, 1840 (Mollusca).
Notes on Tanypus dyari.
BY EVELYN GROESBEECK MITCHELL, Washington, D. C.
This species evidently winters in the larval stage. The
earliest larvae which I have found were taken on March 4th
from a drinking tank for horses in Rock Creek Park, Washing-
ton, D. C. The tank consists of an iron pipe about three feet
in diameter and four deep, into wrhich falls a'stream of clear
spring water, continually running from a tap. The inside of
the tap was overgrown with a green alga in which the larvae
hide and on which they also feed. The larvae pupated the
evening of March 4th, and the images emerged on the 6th.
April 1 2th two batches of eggs were found at the tank.
The larvae of this species are easily raised so long as there
are algae and euglena in the bottle and they are not in too light
* For a discussion of this matter, sec Palmer, Index (Jeiicruin Mammalium, pp. 34-37.
Sept., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
245
WLJ
• :
a place. Eggs laid June i5th by a
captured adult hatched the lyth, the
larvse pupated the night of July ist,
and the images emerged on the 3rd.
If there is not enough food the lar-
vae are prone to eat each other. This
happened in the case of eggs laid May
17th, which hatched the 2oth, and by
June nth the larvae had all disap-
peared.
On June 22nd larvse were found to
be abundant in a rain puddle situated
in a back yard in this city. The pud-
dle was about four feet in diameter,
the water perfectly clear, with a soft,
muddy bottom. The whole bottom
seem alive with the moving heads of
the larvse, which were about thirty to
the square inch. There were a few
red larvse of Chironomus cristata in the
same pool. The dyari from the tank
often construct ' ' houses ' ' in the form
of tubes in the alga, fastening together
bits of alga and excreta with silk.
There evidently cannot be much silk
for the tubes crumble easily, unlike
those of many gnats. The larvae in
the puddle did not spin at all, they
simply waved about on the surface of
the soft mud until they made a hollow,
which on deepening allowed the mud
to silt in on their backs; or they shove
head first into the mud, in either case
making a slightly arcuate tube open-
ing at the surface at both ends. In
this tube they stay, head and thorax
protruded, keeping up a constant wav-
'ing motion. The}' almost never come
1\ out and swim about. The food in the
246 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
puddle could not have been algae, it might have been bacteria
or protozoa.
The larvae (see fig.), are remarkably hairy, the first not so
much so as the later stage. I think that they molt three times
but am not sure, as they molt in their houses and eat their
shed skins.
The adults emerge from the pupa case rather slowly as com-
pared with some of the other gnats, which come out like a flash.
The eggs are in a slightly irregular, rounded mass of gelatin,
with a thread of gelatin attached. The mass is about one-quar-
ter inch in diameter. The eggs are about 200 in number and
do not seem to have any regular arrangement in lines. They
lie mostly with the small ends turned toward the centre of the
mass, the outer ends being about one-quarter the distance from
periphery to center of mass.
Some new Larridae from Nebraska.
BY HARRY S. SMITH, Lincoln, Neb.
Tachysphex punctulatus n. sp.
9. — Length 7 mm. — Anterior margin of clypeus very slightly curved
outward, a blunt, obtuse tooth at each side, which is scarcely noticeable ;
clypeus, excepting the margin, very strongly convex, and with a few
large, widely separated punctures, shining ; sides of face and front with
medium sized shallow punctures, the spaces between them with exceed-
ingly fine ones ; vertex with punctures a little more widely separated ; a
narrow impunctate depression or line extending from middle ocellum to
the two supra-antennal tubercles ; depression behind ocelli deep, some-
what linear ; space between eyes above at closest place about equal to
antennal joints 2 and 3 ; second joint of flagellum about one-fifth longer
than first, remaining joints gradually shorter ; mandibles medially and
spot on scape beneath, rufous ; sides of face with silvery pubescence.
Dorsulum finely punctured, depressed anteriorly, punctures becoming
more sparse posteriorly ; scutellum convex, sparsely and distinctly punc-
tured, shining ; postscutellum with punctures closer, metanotum finely
granulated, metapleura minutely indistinctly striate ; posterior face of
metathorax with very fine strias and a longitudinal balloon-shaped depres-
sion, point downward, over which a narrow transverse carina, on a level
with the upper surface of the metanotum, projects. Legs black, apical
joints of tarsi testaceous ; comb of anterior tarsi with the bristles arranged
in groups near the apices of the joints, one group for each joint, about 16
bristles altogether ; tibiae and tarsi spinose, middle ones most strongly so.
Abdomen dark red, apical segments almost black, broadly margined with
Sept., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 247
testaceous ; ventral segments finely punctured basally, with a few large
punctures interspersed ; pygidial area sparsely punctured, slightly con-
cave and surrounded by a narrow raised margin. Wings smoky, outer
edges and base lighter, iridescent ; marginal cell truncate ; second and
third submarginal cells equal at top ; third submarginal cell extending
somewhat beyond marginal.
Described from one 9 specimen, Sioux County, Neb., May.
Seems to be most nearly related to T. tarsatus Say, from
which it is easily distinguished by the peculiar punctuation of
the front, by its smaller size, and by the sculpture of the meta-
thorax. In the punctuation of the anterior portion of the
mesothorax this species approaches T. scmirufus Cresson, from
which it may readily be distinguished by its much darker
wings and punctuation.
Aiicistromma sericifrons n. sp.
<j\ — Length 6 mm. — Anterior margin of clypeus slightly emarginate
medially, outer angles acute ; clypeus rather finely punctured, shining ;
front coarse granulate, becoming gradually finer toward the lateral ocelli;
vertex finely and closely punctured, the depression behind the ocelli quite
strong ; face clothed with a dense mat of short silvery-white pubescence ;
space between eyes at top slightly less than length of antennal joints 2
and 3 united ; joints i and 2 of flagellum about equal ; mandibles dark
basally, rufous apically. Mesonotum finely punctured anteriorly, the
punctures becoming coarser on the disk ; scutellum and postscutellum
coarsely punctured, entire mesonotum clothed with a thin yellowish
white pubescence ; upper face of metathorax comparatively very small,
taking the shape of a shield, this face being strongly longitudinally striate,
the striae not curving outward as in distincta ; a median longitudinal ridge
which is broad basally and gradually narrowed posteriorly, separates the
striae ; posterior face transversely striate, with a median depression, and
clothed with a silvery pubescence, as are also the metapleura, which are
minutely striate. Legs black, strongly spinose, the tarsi reddish. Abdo-
men bright red, apical segments black, each segment with a narrow band
of punctures, these bands becoming wider on apical segments. Pygidial
area coarsely punctured, ventral segments finely punctured, apical plate
rounded. Wings hyaline, strongly iridescent ; the and recurrent nervure
is received by the 2nd submarginal cell at the middle, the ist is received
close to the ist cubital nervure ; marginal cell truncate.
Described from one 1 specimen, Glen, Sioux County, Neb.,
August 22, 1905.
This is a very distinct and remarkably pretty little species.
In Fox's table it will run to A. anxintin Fox, from which it
248 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
may be readily separated by the sculpture of the metathorax,
color and punctuation of the abdomen, wing venation and size.
Ancistromma bnmeri n. sp.
$. — Length 8-9 mm. — Anterior margin of clypeus strongly rounded
out, the outer angles obtuse ; clypeus with medium sized punctures, the
distance between them variable ; sides of face closely punctured, the front
more sparsely so ; vertex punctured as front ; a shining space in the pit
behind the ocelli ; face with sparse silvery pubescence ; mandibles apically
and under side of style ferruginous ; space between eyes at top greater
than antennal joints 2 and 3, almost as great as 2-4 united ; first and sec-
ond joints of flagellum subequal. Thorax with very sparse pale pubes-
cence, anterior portion of mesonotum finely punctured, depressed in front
and with two distinct parapsidal grooves, scutellum medially impressed,
shining, punctures a little more distant ; postscutellum closely punctured;
upper face of metathorax finely granulate, with a strong median furrow
of uniform width running the entire length and connecting with the de-
pression of the posterior face, which is also granulate, more coarsely so
below ; metapleura with medium sized punctures. Legs black, apical
joints of tarsi reddish, feebly spinose, longer spur of posterior tibia two-
thirds the length of basal joint of tarsus. Abdomen black, dorsal seg-
ments indistinctly punctured, excepting narrow apical margins of seg-
ments, which are impunctate and sometimes testaceous ; pygidial area
well defined, coarsely punctured ; ventral segments distinctly finely punc-
tured, apices of segments impunctate, 8th ventral plate rounded. Wings
subhyaline, strongly iridescent, second recurrent nervure received before
the middle of second submarginal cell ; marginal cell truncate, appendi-
culation short.
Described from five £ specimens, West Point, Neb., June
(L. Bruner).
Most closely related to A. conferta Fox, from which it differs
in the comparative length of antennal joints, punctuation of
front and vertex, sculpture of metanotum and color of abdo-
men. Dedicated to Prof. Lawrence Bruner, who collected the
specimens.
— <•» i —
THE REMAINS OF THOMAS SAY. — Under date of May 28, 1906, Mr. E.
B. Williamson wrote : "Mr. C. C. Deam has just returned from New Har-
mony, Indiana, where he attended a meeting of the Indiana Academy of
Sciences You may be interested to know that Say's body is buried
in a brick sepulcher or vault in the garden of Mr. John Corbin. Some
time ago portions of the vault which were made of wood fell down, and
in repairing the damage the opportunity was taken of examining the re-
mains. The original coffins are gone, but the bones are well preserved
in natural positions. The vault has been resealed with concrete to re-
place the timbers."
[A description and a picture of Say's tomb, by Prof. F. M. Webster,
were published in the NEWS, vol. vi, p. 101, for April, 1895. — EDS.]
Sept., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 249
Parasitic Hymenoptera of Algonquin Illinois. — V.
BY WM. A. NASON, M.D.
The present paper concludes the series cataloguing the
Parasitic Hymenoptera of Algonquin, Illinois. Altogether,
there have been listed 608 species and 10 varieties, under 252
generic names. The following table shows the number of
genera, species and varieties belonging to each family :
Families. Genera. Species. Varieties.
Cyuipidae 18 29
Evaniidae 2 2
Ichneumonidse 82 271 10
Alysiidse n 15
Braconidae 55 156
Chalcididse 51 84
Proctotrypidae 30 47
Mymaridae 2 3
Pelecinidae i i
252 608 10
These parasitic forms of insect life are all dependent upon
their hosts for maintainance and perpetuation, and this point
of view opens up a most interesting subject of study. The
hosts are largely vegetable feeders, and consequently the flora
of the regions they inhabit must of necessity, to a great ex-
tent, be made up of the plants which furnish them suitable
food. All plants and plant societies are dependent upon the
existence of suitable soil, and climatic conditions for their
growth and continuance. Hence, wre must consider, in order
to arrive at an intelligent idea of the origin and distribution of
these parasitic forms, what are the ecological relations of the
regions which control the vegetation necessary to perpetuate
these hosts.
To do this it is best to first consider the geographical rela-
tions of these insect forms, and then the ecological conditions
of the fauna and flora of the regions occupied by them. The
first object may be first attained by consulting lists of species
250
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Sept., '60
which give definite localities where the species have been
found to exist. The most available records in this line are
to be found in the two following publications: 'Catalogue
of Described Hymenoptera of America North of Mexico," by
E. T. Cresson, published in 1887, which gives the localities
whence the species listed were originally described ; 'A
Monograph of the North American Proctotrypidse," by Wm.
H. Ashmead, published in 1893, enumerates in like manner,
with descriptions, the species of that family.
An examination of these two lists enables us to locate the
geographic affinities of 371, or over 61 per cent, of the spe-
cies embraced in the Algonquin list. They are distributed as
follows :
LOCALITIES
«
-a
'5.
'£
>>
u
Evaniidae
Ichneumonidas
Braconidse
Chalcidida;
Proctotrypidae
Pelicinidas
Total,
each locality
i. Canada
8
T
T/lo
36
TO
6
2OI
2. New Hampshire . ....
T
I
3. Massachusetts . . .
T
?
T
,1
4. Connecticut
4
I
T
T
7
5. New York
?
?
?
?
8
6. New Jersey . .
2
2
7. Pennsylvania
5
/I
T
TO
8. Delaware
7
7
9. District of Columbia . . ...
10. Virginia . .
f.
ii. Florida
£
'9
12. Texas
f.
s
'4
Tfi
13. Ohio
14. Indiana
15. Illinois ...
16. Missouri . .
*4
32
17. Iowa
18. Kansas
19. Nebraska
20. Colorado
21. California
22. British Columbia
23. Vancouver . . .
24. Hudson Bay
25. United States
Total, each family
2S
2
IQ2
70
27
18
I
•271
Sept., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 251
Now if we can find some factors which these regions, from
which the species tabulated above are derived, have in common,
it may be possible to reach some conclusions in regard to the
influences which have made the fauna of northern Illinois
what it is.
Mr. Edgar N. Transeau in a paper on "Forest Centres of
Eastern America," published in the American Naturalist, vol.
xxxix, p. 885, fig. 6, 1905, gives a map which is most sugges-
tive in this connection. This map shows graphically the ratio
of rainfall to evaporation in the eastern United States and
Canada, expressed in percentages.
A very interesting fact is disclosed on comparing the distri-
bution of the species of insects as enumerated in the table,
with the distribution of rainfall and evaporation, given by
Transeau in the map quoted above. For we find the species
readily divide into two series, whose food plants pertain to
regions of very different humidity, and consequently of dif-
ferent vegetal growth.
The first series embraces the species from Canadian sources,
and all fall into zones in which the percentage of rainfall to
evaporation is no per cent, or more. The second series em-
braces all the species described from regions east of the great
western plains, and south of the Canadian sources, and fall
into zones whose percentage of rainfall to evaporation ranges
from 80 to no per cent.
In the first series from Canada and the north east are 201
species, which is 54 per cent, of the species given by Cresson
and Ashmead, and 33 per cent, of all the Algonquin species.
In the second series from regions east of the great plains and
south of the Canadian region there are 153 species, or 41 per
cent, of the species given by Cresson and Ashmead, and 25 per
cent, of all in the Algonquin list. This leaves only 17 species,
or less than 5 per cent, of the species given by Cresson and
Ashmead from other areas.
Taken altogether, this gives 95 per cent, of the species
assigned by Cresson and Ashmead to definite habitats, as orig-
inating in or inhabiting the two zones or areas described. This
is a sufficiently large percentage to warrant conclusions of
252 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
some value, for it embraces 58 per cent, of all the Algonquin
species.
These are exceedingly interesting facts, and although the
data are far from complete, it is evident that they point deci-
sively toward the solution of the problem of the origin of the
Algonquin insect fauna we are considering. For the Canadian
series come from what Transeau describes (pp. 884, 885), as
the "northeastern conifer forest centre," with a ratio of no
or more percentage of humidity, and the second series from the
regions he describes as ' 'open forests, ' ' ' 'oak openings, ' ' "dense
forests on low grounds" and the "decidious forest centre" hav-
ing a ratio of less than no per cent, of rainfall to evaporation.
The situation of Algonquin in northern Illinois, as situated
on the map given by Transeau, confirms the ideas stated above.
For the locality is near the northern edge of the "decidious
forest centre," and also near the southern edge of the "north-
eastern conifer forest " in Wisconsin. This statement is
emphasized by the fact that a genuine cedar swamp exists ten
miles south of Algonquin, near Elgin, which is as characteris-
tic as are the cedar swamps of northern Michigan or Wisconsin.
The views of Transeau, as given above, confirm the ideas
earlier advanced by Mr. Chas. C. Adams, in a very interesting
and valuable paper, " On Post Glacial Dispersal of the North
American Biota," published in the Biological Bulletin in 1905 ;
a map on page 57 of that paper very clearly shows how his
second biotic type from the north, and the fourth biotic type
from the south of the Ohio River, on the retreat of the Wis-
consin glacial ice sheet, would naturally meet in the region of
northern Illinois, and establish a fauna and flora, having many
characters in common with those of the northeast and south-
east. The boreal and austral types would mingle and find in
northern Illinois a common ground, and the fauna and flora
would necessarily show evidences of this double derivation.
It is to be hoped that sufficient data will be accumulated in
a few years to enable the conclusions arrived at in this paper
to be thoroughly investigated. A list of the hosts of the
Algonquin parasitic insects given in this series of papers, and
of the food plants of these hosts, would enable us to clear up
some of the points at issue. This, and the analysis of many
Sept., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 253
local lists of both insects and plants, would be steps in the
right direction. For this study involves such a variety of
elements which go to determine the ecological relations of the
plant and insect life — the fauna and flora — of the regions we
are considering, that much time and study will be necessary.
But the results will be commeasurate with the labor, for they
will not only add greatly to our knowledge, but also clear up
some of the most interesting of the unsettled problems of biology.
On the Orthopteran Genus Ageneotettix, with a
description of a new species from Illinois.
BY DR. J. L. HANCOCK, F.E.S.
A study of a series of specimens of the genus Ageneotettix
from Illinois has given rise to the question whether there has
not been discrepencies, by authors, in the identity of the de-
scribed species of this genus. This refers especially to the
species found in the region about Chicago, which is evidently
undescribed, or more properly has been mistaken for another
species. But before further discussing this phase of the sub-
ject it may be well first to give a brief resume of the literature.
In 1898, Dr. S. H. Scudder* published "A Preliminary Clas-
sification of the Tryxalinse of the United States," wherein is
noted the following definition of the genus Ageneotettix :
' Pronotum not constricted in the middle, the prozona slightly
the longer, lateral carinae obsolete on the prozona." Scud-
der f again describes the genus as follows : "Generally smaller
forms. Median carina of prozona not cut by the transverse
sulci, foveolae of male subequal, rhomboidal ; hind tibise red,
lower apical spur of inner side of same fully half as long again
as upper spur."
McNeill I first proposed the present accepted name Ageneo-
tettix, substituting this name for Eremmis which was preoccu-
pied. In his key to the genera of Try. \alimc \ \ we find his
genus distinguished as follows : "Median carina of the prono-
tum cut behind the middle of the pronotum. Vertex of the
head destitute of a median carina. Posterior margin of the
nietazone very obtusely angulate." According to this author,
* Psyche, viii, Xo. 267, p. 231.
t Guide to the Genera and Classification of the North Ann i Iran ( >rthopu-r:i, p. 31, 1897.
\ Psyche, viii, p. 71.
J Revision of the Truxalinae of North America, Proc. Daven. Ac;ul. Xat. Sci.. vi. 1^97.
254 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
there are two species of Ageneotettix, namely : deorum Scud-
der, and scudderi Bruner. But McNeil! further states in his
Revision, p. 269, that it is quite probable that the former spe-
cies is identical with the latter, implj'ing thereby that scudderi
is the only representative valid species. In another place he
mentions also under E. scudderi Bruner, that ' ' One variety of
this species has the vertex usually broad between the eyes,
with the anterior margins bounded by cariuae, which meet at
an angle much greater than a right angle even in the male."
This variety, McNeill adds, was received from Prof. Gillette
under the name of Aulocara scudderi Bruuer, and another form
with narrower vertex under the appelation Dociostaurus colora-
densis. " Both forms being named by comparison with speci-
mens determined by Prof. Bruner."
The present status of the described species according to
Scudder's Alphabetical Index to North American Orthoptera
is that the two species deorum and scudderi are the only ones
retained. Scudder and Cockerell * noted both species as occur-
ing in New Mexico, a third species which was not described is
also mentioned by them.
As intimated in the beginning of this paper my present con-
tention is that still another species occurs in Illinois. Its
identity becoming evident after study of a series of specimens
from Chicago. The confirmation of this species was made
possible by comparison with a type specimen of scudderi which
Prof. Bruner kindly presented to me. The difference be-
tween scudderi and the Illinois form, which for convenience is
called arenosus, is very marked, yet this latter species has
probably been confused by Lugger and Blatchley as scudderi.
Both of these writers described and figured it under the latter
name in each of their State catalogues of Orthoptera. More-
over, McNeill probably also refers to it in part, in his Revision
under scudderi, as occuring in a few localities near Moline, Illi-
nois. Though the description given by Blatchley f under . /.
scudderi fits arenosus quite accurately, I have drawn up the
following comparisons of the two species side by side, that they
may be readily recognized :
* A first list of the Orthoptera of New Mexico, Proc. Daven. Acad. Sci., ix, p. 27, 1902.
t Orthoptera of Indiana, p. 248, 1902.
Sept., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
255
scudderi Bruner.
$ type specimen from Lincoln,
Nebraska.
Body of moderate size.
Vertex distinctly produced, the
anterior carinse meeting at an an-
gle slightly less than a right angle,
the foveolcu but lightly impressed.
Pronotum with the posterior bor-
der distinctly obtuse angulate.
Tegmina nearly reaching to the
tips of the knees of hind femora.
Hind femora incrassate.
Color grayish, tegmina marked
by more or less numerous subquad-
rate dark spots, hind femora
marked by three obscure blackish
bands, the middle one more evi-
dent than the rest, the knees out-
wardly blackish, variegated with
gray, deeper black on the inside ;
tibia? coral red, with whitish annula
at the base ; under surface of the
body yellowish white.
Measurements : length of body,
female, 22 mm.; pronot. 13.9 mm.;
tegmina, 14 mm. ; post, femora,
12.5 mm.
arenosus sp. nov.
Type from Chicago, Illinois.
Body small, rather slender.
Vertex very little produced, the
prominent carince formed ante-
riorly into a distinct right angle,
enclosing a deep crescentic im-
pression, the foveoke deeply im-
pressed.
Pronotum with the posterior bor-
der convexo-subangulate.
Tegmina not reaching to ihe
knees of the hind femora.*
Hind femora slender.
Color dull brownish or purplish-
brown, the tegmina marked by
numerous, small, dark, quadrate
spots. Very frequently a median
light testaceous band extends from
the vertex backwards on the mid-
dle of the head, pronotum and the
tegmina to the tips ; this band
slightly darker forwards on the
head and pronotum, here enclosed
on either side by a black line which
widens into triangular spots at the
distal half of pronotal disk ; hind
femora marked by three obscure
blackish bands, the posterior one
broader and more evident, the
knees deep black ; tibia? coral red.
with a whitish basal annulus, rarely
immediately followed by a second
dusky anulus or minute pigmented
spots ; ventral surface of the body
light or darker yellowish brown
Measurements: length of body,
female, 19.5-20 mm.; pronot, 2.9
mm.; tegmina, n mm.; post, fem-
ora, 11.5 mm. Male measured to
end of tegmina, 15 mm. ; pronotum,
2.7 mm. ; tegmina, 9-9 5 mm. ;
post, femora, 10.5 mm.
• The figure of scinitfi-i i Bruner, .niven by I.ut^er. :mil later o>]>ied by Blatchley ;»]>]<•
\ iii!< form of arena
256 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
Habits. — This small locust seems to be quite local in distri-
bution, having been taken only at Cheltenham (Chicago).
Here I found the entire series of eighteen specimens, living
within an area of twenty yards, on light sandy ground, sixty
yards from the lake shore. All the mature specimens were
found during July and August. In the afternoon of August
26, 1901, a number of this species were discovered at the point
above mentioned secreted on the ground among the accumu-
lated remains of dried twigs and leaves, fallen from the weeds.
Individuals with the light dorsal stripes were especially well
protected against this background. Out of six specimens
taken on the above date, one was a dull brown, without the
median stripe. In fact, the striped form of coloring is the
prevailing one. When an attempt was made to capture these
shy little insects with the unaided hand, they jumped ener-
getically, using their wings rather sparingly in their attempts
to escape.
— i <«> ' —
SPRAY, O, SPRAY.
(E. G. Packard in Fruitman's Guide.)
Spray, farmers, spray with care,
Spray the apple, peach and pear ;
Spray for scab, and spray for blight,
Spray, O spray, and do it right.
Spray the scale that's hiding there,
Give the insects all a share ;
Let your fruit be smooth and bright,
Spray, O spray, and do it right.
Spray your grapes, spray them well,
Make first class what you've to sell.
The very best is none too good,
You can have it, if you would.
Spray your roses, for the slug,
Spray the fat potato bug ;
Spray your cantaloupes, spray them thin,
You must fight if you would win.
Spray for blight, and spray for rot,
Take good care of what you've got ;
Spray farmers, spray with care,
Spray, O spray the buglets there.
Sept., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 257
New Bees of the genus Colletes.
BY M. H. SWENK, Dept. Ent., Univ. of Neb.
Colletes hesperius n. sp.
9. Length 14 mm.— Agrees with C. compactus, to which it is closely
allied, except as follows : Pubescence much paler and more abundant,
the hairs of the face, vertex and occiput all pale, or at most a few brown-
ish hairs on sides of vertex, the pubescence of thoracic dorsum pale dull
gray, with the black hairs comparatively few, sparse on the disk and
forming a rather thin scutellar fringe ; malar space nearly one-third as
long as broad ; joint 3 of antennae a shade longer ; first abdominal seg-
ment uniformly very finely, closely and weakly punctured (as different
as possible from the heavy, close double-sized punctuation of compactus},
the second segment minutely and indistinctly punctured ; abdominal fas-
ciae much broader and denser.
<3\ Length n mm. — Sculptured much like compactus rf1, but easily
distinguished by having the pubescence entirely grayish white, a very few-
pale brownish hairs on scutellum, but no black ones anywhere, the abdo-
minal fascia? much broader.
Described from a 9 and a £ type, both taken by Mr. C. V.
Piper at Almota, Whitman County, in western Washington
State. Types in author's collection.
Colletes crawfordi n. sp.
9 . Length 8 mm.— Like C. intermixtus, but smaller and less robust ;
pubescence paler, that on vertex without any dark hairs whatever, that
of thorax nearly all pale, the dark hairs confined to a few, scattered ones
on disk and the usual scutellar fringe ; supraclypeal area dullish, more
punctured ; mesothorax similarly but much more coarsely punctured ;
those on mesopleura shallower and more irregular ; scutellum with only
a narrow basal impunctate line ; areas surrounding enclosure less coarsely
punctured ; first abdominal segment finely, closely and distinctly but not
deeply punctured (subimpunctate in intermixtus'), following segments
finely, indistinctly punctured ; basal segment with short, sparse hair, the
venter densely fringed as in te.vaniis ; outer spur of hind tibia distinctly
pectinate with about a dozen long teeth ; antennal joint 3 decidedly ex-
ceeding 4 ; legs with black hair as in intermi.vtus, but also on upper sur-
face of posterior tibiae ; the basal tarsal joint fully three times as long as
broad.
Described from a single female specimen taken at Dallas,
Texas, October 8, 1905, on Phy sails. This species is close to
C. latatarsis Rob. , which also visits Physalis, but differs in the
sparsely punctured clypeus, slender hind metatarsi and other
minor characters. From C. intcnnixtus Swenk it differs as
258 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
above, and moreover flies in the fall while intermixtus is a
vernal species. I dedicate this species to Mr. J. C. Crawford,
from whom the type was received, in recognition of his most
meritorious work on our bees. Type in author's collection.
Collates lacustris n. sp.
9 • Length 9 mm. — Clypeus shining, long and prominent, flattened but
not silicate, its punctures coarse but widely separated and not at all sfri-
ate, the suhapical transverse depression very deep. Supraclypeal area
shining, coarsely punctured. Face roughened by excessively small can-
cellate punctures, dull, its pubescence short, sparse and pale. Sides of
vertex densely, finely, indistinctly punctured, the interocellar tuft and
occipital fringe sparse, black, with some pale hairs intermixed. . Cheeks
with sparse, shallow punctures and short, thin, white hair. Antennae
short, black, joint 3 longer than 4, flagellar joints about as long as wide.
Malar space about as long as wide. Prothoracic spine very short, blunt.
Punctures of mesothorax fairly large, rounded and distinct, very close
along anterior margin, medially and posteriorly widely separated and less
distinct on a shining surface, this shading further into a large polished
impunctate spot on the disk. Mesopleura with distinct well separated
punctures. Scutellum with a wide basal polished impunctate space fol-
lowed by a densely, striately, shallowly punctured surface. Postscutellum
minutely roughened, opaque. Superior face of metathorax poorly de-
fined, its pits rather irregular, longer than broad. Enclosure funnel
shaped, the bowl coarsely irregularly rugose, the neck concave, smooth
and somewhat shining. Sides of posterior face subopaque, densely shal-
lowly rugose, tuberculate. Tegulae large, shining black. Wings clouded
by a moderate infuscation, nervures and stigma black. Thoracic dorsum
with sparse, erect, black pubescence densest on scutellum and thinnest
on disk where pale hairs are intermixed. Postscutellum, metathorax,
pleura and below with thin grayish white pubescence. Legs moderately
stout, black, their pubescence pale and thin. Anterior coxae with very
short inconspicuous blunt spines. Tibial spurs dark testaceous, not pec-
tinate. Claws rufous, deeply medially toothed. Abdomen stout, sub-
oval, almost bare, very polished, two basal segments practically iinpiinc-
tate, following segments very minutely and indistinctly punctured. Api-
cal margins of segments not at all depressed, the fasciae on 2-5 reduced
to mere fringes, easily worn off. The extreme lateral base of segment i
has some sparse white hair, and the disks of segments 3-6 have scattered,
short fuscous hairs.
J\ Length 8 mm. — Differs from the $ : Pubescence of vertex and
thoracic dorsum largely pale, well mixed with black on scutellum ; cly-
peus basally finely, closely punctured, apically polished and impunctate ;
antennae black, the flagellum brown beneath, joint 3 nearly equals 4,
taken with 2 much longer than 4, following joints one and one-half times
as long as broad , malar space a shade longer than broad ; punctures of
Sept., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 259
mesopleura sparse, shallow and indistinct ; basal two segments scatter-
ingly, feebly punctured, 2-5 with more decided apical fringes, the seg-
ments abundantly provided with long, erect, pale hairs.
Described from i 9 and 8 £ co-types, taken by Mr. Mor-
gan Hebard in northern Michigan (Baraga County), along the
shores of Lake Superior, as follows : Baraga County, "barrens
near marsh," July 18, 1903, i 9; July 20, 2 S. Pequaming,
"in meadow," July 2, i S ; July 15, 2 £ . Point Abbaj'e,
" in huckleberry barrens," July 10, i £ ; July 24, i £ .
Apparently the species flies principally during July.
Collates pleuralis n. sp.
9- Length 9 mm. — Very close to C. californicus, but differing as fol-
lows : Hind tarsi more slender, the basal joint three times as long as
wide, the inner surface with the hairs mostly pale brownish instead of all
black ; basal abdominal segment with long, sparse, pale hair, 2 and 3
with shorter pale hairs ; first recurrent nervure entering second submar-
ginal cell basad of middle as in californicus, but third submarginal less
narrowed above so that its upper length is more than twice as long as
that part of the lower length distad of the junction with the second recur-
rent nervure ; malar space slightly longer, about one-third as long as
broad ; entire bowl of enclosure tranversely ridged, the surrounding sides
opaque, minutely reticulated ; vertex subuniformly more coarsely punc-
tured.
cj\ Length 8 mm. — Much like californicus cf , but easily distinguished
by having the pubescence of abdomen wholly or mostly pale, forming
apical fringes to the segments, much as mpascoensis, the black hairs be-
ing much reduced, very different from the uniform jet-black abdominal
pubescence of californicus; malar space decidedly longer, about one-
half as long as broad.
Described from a pair collected in Gallatiu County Montana
(6,800 feet), June 27, 1900, by Prof. Cooley. I have also two
males collected in the same county at an elevation of 8000 ft. ,
July 22, 1900, by Mr. E. Koch. Types in author's collection.
Colletes birkmanni n. sp.
9. Length ir mm. — Stoutly built. Clypeus coarsely striate-punctatr,
depressed before the transverse apex, supraclypeal area sparsely punc-
tured. Malar space one-fourth as long as broad. Vertex with a few scat
tered course punctures, otherwise shining, subimpunctate. Cheeks finely
closely punctured. Antennae black, joint 3 equals 4. Face with distinct
deep close punctures, its pubescence short, rather sparse, silvery, intero-
cellar tuft and occipital hairs tinged with yellowish. Pubescence of thora-
cic dorsum pale ochraceous, very slightly fulvescent, that on metathorax,
260 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
pleura and below pure white. Prothoracic spine large, long, sharp and
rather conspicuous. Punctures of mesothorax coarse, round and deep,
crowded anteriorly, more separated posteriorly, on a large disk few or
none. Punctures of scutellum like those on anterior mesothorax only
slightly coarser, anteriorly a shining less punctured line, postscutellum
rough. Superior face unusually well defined on metathorax, the pits very
regular, polished, longer than broad. Enclosure subtriangular, the neck
and lateral extensions of the bowl about equal, the whole very smooth
and polished. Surrounding sides shining, feebly punctured and with
broken feeble reticulations. Mesopleura punctured like anterior meso-
thorax. Tegulas dark testaceous. Wings perfectly clear, nervures and
stigma blackish brown. Anterior coxae with very short, rudimentary
spines. Outer tibial spur not pectinate. Claw rufous, medially toothed.
Pubescence of legs white, Except for golden inner tarsal apical tufts.
Abdomen elongate-conical, segment i polished, with a very few scattered
very feeble punctures, segment 2 also polished, sparsely indistinctly punc-
tured, following segments duller, with coarse but indistinct close punc-
tures. Basal segment with long white hair at sides, its apex with a widely
interrupted loose white fascia connecting with a broad fascia on base of 2,
which with 3-5 is provided with broad, white, apical fasciae, their disks
with longer white bristles. Margins of segments not depressed.
V Length 10 mm.— Differs from the 9 as follows: Form very slen-
der ; clypeus less striately punctured, covered with dense white hair ;
pubescence of thoracic dorsum dull yellowish gray paling to white on
sides and below ; malar space two-thirds as long as broad ; antennal joint
3 shorter than 4, taken with 2 subequal to 4. flagellar joints over twice as
long as broad ; punctures of mesothorax much much separate ; those on
mesopleura coarse and crowded ; abdomen longer and narrower, basal
and following segments more distinctly punctured, more hairy, apices of
segments 1-5 distinctly depressed and fasciate, apex with fine brownish
red hairs ; claws subapically cleft.
This species is described from a $ and a 9 type taken April
5, 1904, at Fedor, Texas, by Rev. G. Birkman, to whom, in
in recognition of his extensive collecting in that locality, I have
dedicated it. I have also four 9 paratypes taken May 5, 1901,
May 7, 1901, May i, 1898, and November 10, 1897, thus show-
ing the species to be double brooded in that region as is also C.
americanus, though the spring brood, flying in April and May
is evidently the principal one. I have also a 9 paratype (No.
308) from Hamilton County, Kansas, 3,500 feet, collected by
Prof. F. H. Snow. The species seems to come nearest to the
thoracicus group, but has several characteristics of C. an/a i-
canus. Types in author's collection.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items
of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given
in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at OUT
earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep-
tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num-
ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or
important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five " extras," without change in form,
will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along
with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.— ED.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., SEPTEMBER, 1906.
Many types were destroyed by the earthquake in San Fran-
cisco, including Dr. Behr's types of Lepidoptera. This sug-
gests the great advantage to be derived from the wide distri-
bution of cotypes or paratypes in various institutions, as it is
not likely that all will be destroyed at one fell swoop if they
are widely distributed. It is fortunate that typical examples
of Dr. Behr's species are in the Strecker collection. In
In Strecker's Lep. Rhop. and Het., suppl. 3, a list of Behr's
types in the Strecker collection is given. While they are
called types they should probably be called metatypes accord-
ing to more modern views. It is likely that typical examples
of Dr. Behr's species are also in the W. H. Edward's collec-
tion now in the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh. Accurate
figures of the types of American butterflies described by Dr.
Boisduval would be very valuable, and it is to be hoped that
some day American L/epidopterists will supply the funds neces-
sary for the purpose. Modern building construction will do
away with the danger of fire, but it is questionable whether
buildings will ever be made earthquake proof. We suggest to
all authors of new species that they supply our large institu-
tions with cotypes or paratypes, or at least with metatypes so
as to prevent entire destruction and lessen the distance to be
traversed by those wishing to study type material.
261
262 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
Entomological Literature.
ENTOMOLOGY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS BIOLOGICAL AND
ECONOMIC ASPECTS. — By Justus Watson Folsom, Sc. D. (Harvard),
Instructor in Entomology at the University of Illinois. With five plates
(one colored) and 300 text-figures. Philadelphia : P. Blakiston's Son t\:
Co., 101 2 Walnut Street. 1906. Octavo. Cloth, $3.00 net. Pp. vii, 485.
The preface states: "This book gives a comprehensive and concise
account of insects. Though planned primarily for the student, it is
intended also for the general reader. The book was written in an effort
to meet the growing demand for a biological treatment of entomology.
The existence of several excellent works on the classification of insects
(notably Comstock's Manual, Kellogg's American Insects and Sharp's
Insects) has enabled the author to omit the multitudinous details of clas-
sification and to introduce much material that has hitherto not appeared
in text books."
It may be added that this work is also utterly different from Packard's
Text Book of Entomology ; perhaps it most resembles Carpenter's In-
sects, Their Structure and Life, among recent books in this field, but it
devotes still less space to taxonomy, for Carpenter gives us the charac-
ters of all the principal families of insects while Dr. Folsom descends to
no lower category than that of the suborders.
The effort to meet the demand for a biological treatment is shown by
the list of chapters and their relative length. Chapters I. Classification,
26pp., II. Anatomy and Physiology, 119 pp., and III. Development, 38
pp., form about 44% of the reading matter of the volume. The remain-
ing Chapters, IV-XIII. are ecological and are the more interesting,
partly by virtue of the merit claimed for them in that their matter, in
large part, has not hitherto appeared in text books. Their titles are
worth quoting to give the reader an idea of their nature : IV. Adaptations
of Aquatic Insects ; V. Color and Coloration (based largely on the works
of Mayer, Tower, Edwards, Pictet and Poulton) ; VI. Adaptive Colora-
tion (with the whole subject of Protective Resemblance, Warning Color-
ation and Protective Mimicry, as interpreted in the light of the results of
Finn, Judd, Bates, Wallace, F. Miiller, Dixey and Marshall and Poulton,
and illustrated by the colored frontispiece of protective mimicry among
butterflies, including that wonderful Papilio inerope and its mimicking
harem) ; VII. Origin of Adaptations and of Species (general and theo-
retical with little direct discussion of insects) ; VIII. Insects in relation to
Plants (foods, galls, plant-enemies of insects, pollination, structural mod-
ifications in relation to plants, ant-plants) ; IX. Insects in relation to
other Animals (as predaceous, parasitic, food, disease-tranlmitters) ; X.
Interrelations of Insects (parasites and hyperparasites, social life) ; XI.
Insect Behavior (tropisms, instinct, intelligence) ; XII. Distribution (geo-
graphical and geological) ; XIII. Insects in relation to Man (as injurious
and beneficial, with an historical sketch of early economic entomology in
America based on Howard's writings).
Sept., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 263
Following is a selected, classified literature list of 1050-1100 titles,
occupying 57 pages, and an 18 page index completes the volume.
The illustrations deserve especial mention for their clearness and clean-
ness ; many of them are entirely new and based on original drawings or
photographs.
The book seems to us to be excellently adapted as a text-book in zoo-
logical courses in which the aim is to understand insects as a whole with-
out laying especial emphasis on the taxonomy, or the special morphology
or embryology of any particular group or set of structures, nor will the
general reader or naturalist regret placing the volume on his own shelves.
A few errors or debatable statements have been noticed in a first read-
ing. On page 18, "About fifteen thousand species" of Coleoptera is
probably a slip of the pen for one hundred and fifty thousand ; p. 70, the
view "that the gonapophyses belong to the segmental series of paired
appendages — are homodynamous with limbs — " is accepted, although not
stated as an unquestioned dogma ; p. 72, the claspers ("superior append-
ages", of the male Odonata are termed cerci, in spite of Heymon's recent
paper.— P. P. C.
THE BUTTERFLIES OF MONTANA, Bull. 30 of the Univ. of Montana
Biological Station, is a welcome addition to our literature. The Bulletin
was primarily intended by the author, Prof. M. J. Elrod, for popular use
for teachers and students of nature study, but it is of much value scien-
tifically, as accurate data are given and our knowledge of geographical dis-
tribution will be extended. It is illustrated by an excellent colored plate,
twelve plates in black and white, and one hundred and twenty-five fig-
ures. As a rule the figures are clear, but in a few cases, and especially
in the Agapetinae, they are somewhat obscure. There are no serious
errors, only a few trivial mistakes, which always occur in scientific publi-
cationsf!], such as figuring the var. subpallida for Aglais milberti. There
are good generic and specific descriptions, and in a number of cases the
original descriptions are given. The preparatory stages, when known,
are described. A number of articles and photographs, for the most part
relating to collecting in Montana, will prove interesting. The nomencla-
ture is that of Dyar's list. There is a good glossary and a map of Mon-
tana showing the localities where the specimens were collected. — CARL
R. COOLIDGE.
— • » —
Notes and Ne\vs.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
AFTER strenuous effort and much correspondence Messrs. A. E. Lister
of Scranton, and W. D. Kearfott of Montclair, N. J., arranged a collect-
ing trip to the mountainous wilds of Pennsylvania. On the eve of June
i5th, the above mentioned, with H. \V. and H. A. \Venzel and Dr.
264 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
Henry Skinner met at Wilkes-Barre. The following morning was spent
at Harvey's Lake, where some fair collecting was had. In the afternoon
it rained, and from that time on we lived in hope that sometime it would
stop. Sunday and Monday were spent at Ricketts, North Mountain,
Wyoming Co. Monday morning we went to Ganoga Lake and managed
to pick up a few insects between the showers. At Harvey's Lake we
had the pleasure of having with us Prof. C. O. Thurston of Kingston.
We left North Mountain Tuesday morning. In spite of the continuous
rain some nice things were taken, especially by the Micro-Lepidopterists,
who will doubtless report later. The locality is in the boreal life zone.
A pleasant feature of the trip was the warm hospitality of Colonel R.
Bruce Ricketts.
DR. DYAR'S SQUARE DEALING. — Under the above caption Mr. D. W.
Coquillett refers to a paper published by Mr. Knab and myself on March
14, 1906, as an advance separate from the Journal of the New York Ento-
mological Society. We were obliged to criticize very severely Mr.
Coquillett's work on mosquitoes, and it is therefore, perhaps, pardonable
that he shows some rancor in his reply. I should allow him the fullest
latitude and withhold any response, except that his statement of the cir-
cumstances is faulty, and clearly calls for correction. The work on the
Carnegie Monograph was divided, the adults being assigned to Mr.
Coquillett, the larvae to me. In accordance with this arrangement, Mr.
Busck gave me his larvae on his return from the West Indies. Mr.
Coquillett asked to examine them, and I allowed him to study them until
I found that, in an access of overzeal, he was attempting to do my work
to the neglect of his own. I then demanded the return of the material.
This small difficulty was not, as implied by Mr. Coquillett, the cause of
the preparation of our paper. That is explained in its own introduction.
It only remains to add that its hasty publication was secured to anticipate
Mr. Coquillett's names, which it was expected he would publish on infor-
mation secured from me, and on larval characters, with which I consider
he is not prepared to deal. In regard to his names being "tentative,"
they were so only as subject to my revision on larval characters. They
were the best he could do with the adults alone. The matter had con-
centrated to a study of the larvae as independent organisms, and, as such,
I considered the field preeminently my own, including the baptism of the
new forms.
I was quite unaware that I had changed Mr. Coquillett's marks of doubt
from species to genus, and, if so, it was purely by inadvertence and with-
out any such object as I am charged with. I have tried to deal with Mr.
Coquillett's work as squarely as possible, and if I am obliged to condemn
it unreservedly, it is without any personal animosity.
As far as the Carnegie Monograph is concerned, the situation has been
finally clarified by removing Mr. Coquillett from any connection with it,
which is now in my hands. — HARRISON G. DYAR.
Sept., '06J ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 265
CONCERNING Monomorium destructor Jerdon. — In a brief paper on cer-
tain tropical ants introduced into the United States, published in the Janu-
ary number of the ENT. NEWS, T recorded the occurrence of a well-known
Indian ant, MonomoriuW destructor, in Alabama and Florida. The
specimens from which this record was made were collected by Mr. Clar-
ence R. Moore and sent to the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences. From
the occurrence of the ants in two such widely separated localities, 1 in-
ferred that these insects must have been recently introduced at different
points on the Gulf Coast or were already widely distributed through the
Southern States.
Since the publication of my paper. Dr. Skinner has kindly called my
attention to certain facts which put the matter in a different light. He
writes me that Mr. Moore frequently sends to the Academy sacks of earth
from various localities in the Southern States. This earth is sorted over
for small snails, and it was from such earth from Black Warrior River,
Alabama, and Seminole Point, Florida, that the specimens of J\f. destruc-
tor were taken. The following letter from Mr. Moore to Dr. Skinner
gives an interesting and satisfactory explanation of their supposed occur-
rence in the two localities: " I am inclined to think that the tropical ants
are not found in the localities named in the article describing the ants.
My boat is infested by myriads of these ants, and, no doubt, they got into
packages of snails from the places named, after the snails had been
brought aboad the steamer.
These ants do not make their appearance in cool weather, but appear
in myriads when the hot weather sets in. They are fierce little chaps.
One night I awoke with my legs stinging all over. I found the ants had
swarmed into my bed and had been biting my legs. I found them with
their noses buried in the skin.
No doubt the ants got aboard originally at some shipping centre, prob-
ably Jacksonville or Savannah."
It is probable that M. destructor has reached the ports mentioned by
Mr. Moore or other ports in the Southern States, from the West Indies.
Ernest Andr6 recorded its occurrence in Jamaica (Revue d'Entomol.,
1893, p, 152,) and I recently saw a colony nesting at the foot of a tree near
Tallaboa on the southern coast of Porto Rico. — WM. M. WHEELER.
Doings of Societies.
A meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social was held at the
residence of Dr. Henry Skinner, 716 N. 2oth Street, Philadel-
phia, on April 18, 1906. Mr. Erich Daecke, President, in the
chair. Nine members were present, and Mr. H. A. Wenzel,
visitor.
266 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
Mr. H. W. Wenzel exhibited a box of Coleoptera captured
April 18, 1906, by Elmer Wenzel at Swarthmore ; the follow-
ing four species were represented : Cychrus viduus and stenosto-
mns, Diccdus politus and ambiguus. ?
Mr. Haimbach read an article from a local newspaper refer-
ring to the African sleeping sickness. Dr. Skinner remarked
that the Tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans, or other species of
Glossina are probably responsible for transmitting the said
disease.
Mr. H. W. Wenzel said that he had observed larvae of
Xylota pigra actively feeding all winter under pine bark, also
the pupae were present, and on April 8th the fly made its ap-
pearance at Grenlock.
FRANK HAIMBACH, Secretary.
A meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social was held on
May 16, 1906, at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 S.
1 3th St., Philadelphia. President Daecke in the chair. Ten
members present, and Mr. Henry L,. Viereck, visitor.
A letter from Professor Smith was read, in which he called
attention to the fact that the periodical Cicada is due this year
in the State of New Jersey, and asked Mr. Daecke to look out
same and bring same to attention of members and ask them to
collect and also try find its limitations.
Mr. Harbeck exhibited a box of Diptera and Coleoptera ; of
the the latter, one was Corymbites hamatus, taken at German-
town, Philadelphia, May 12, 1906 ; another was Limonius
stigma, taken at Germantown, Philadelphia, April 13, 1906.
Mr. Viereck spoke about the bees which occur around Devon,
and said there were probably 260 species to be found there.
He did not find any nests, but four species of Andrcna were
taken along the roads sunning themselves. Mr. Viereck stated
that in a letter from Dr. McCook the latter wrote that he had
located no less than two hundred bee burrows in a lot about
forty feet square. Nests of Collctcs inccqualis were found in
the earth about 12 inches deep, and of them Mr. Viereck
stated that he had made successfully casts of plaster of paris.
Sept., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 267
Dr. Skinner exhibited two species of Coleoptera appar-
ently new to science, one a Cantkaris, the other near to Elap-
hidion.
Mr. Wenzel exhibited a box of Coleoptera, captured since
the last meeting ; series of the following species were shown :
Cychrus lecontci, Phymatodes ater, Callidium janthinum, Neoclv-
tus caprcp.a and Tillomorpha geminata. The speaker said that
he had cut the specimens of Phymatodes from oak branches, the
same species taken on Five-Mile Beach are unicolored black,
only one specimen having a white humeral band, the specimens
cut out of oak in Gloucester County, New Jersey, are all
banded, some having two white bands. Tillomorpha geminata
and a species of Agrilns in the pupae state were cut from the
same branches.
Dr. Castle said that he had gathered a number of acorns last
fall with Balaninus larvae in them, with a view of rearing the
said larvae. He buried them in a flower pot in the garden, ap-
parently well secured, but when he looked for the larvae this
spring they had all disappeared.
Dr. Skinner reported the death on April n, 1906, of Mr.
Roland Hay ward, of Milton, Mass.
Mr. Daecke exhibited specimens of of RhypJius pnnctatus,
Tenthredinidae sp. ? L,eptidae sp. ? probably Xylophagns abdo-
minalis, the latter species no doubt predatory on larvae of Sco-
lytidae. Mr. Daecke also exhibited a nest of Vespa maculata,
which had layers of two distinct positions, due to the breaking
of the limb upon which it was built.
A vote of thanks was extended to Dr. Skinner for the man-
ner in which he entertained the Social at the last meeting.
FRANK HAIMBACH, Secretary.
Minutes of meetings of Brooklyn Entomological Society,
at the residence of Mr. George Franck, 1040 DeKalb Avenue,
Brooklyn, New York.
January /, 1906. — Twenty-two persons present, the Presi-
dent in the chair.
Prof. Smith reported that the manuscript of the " Glossary
268 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '06
of Entomological Terms" was ready for the printer, and Mr.
Franck that $710. had been subscribed toward the cost of the
publication. The price per copy was fixed at $2.00.
Dr. Wm. Barnes, of Decatur, Illinois, was elected a member.
The following officers for the ensuing year were then elec-
ted : President, Rev. J. L,. Zabriskie ; Vice-President, Edward
L,. Graef ; Treasurer, Christopher H. Roberts ; Corresponding
Secretary, Archibald C. Weeks ; Recording Secretary, George
P. Engelhardt ; Librarian, Roy S. Richardson ; Curator, Geo.
Franck ; Executive Committee, the officers above named and
Carl Schaeffer and Frank E. Watson ; Program Committee,
George Franck, Carl Schaeffer and Roy S. Richardson ; Dele-
gates to Scientific Alliance, of New York City, the President
ex-officio, Richard F. Pearsall and Archibald C. Weeks.
February /, 1906. — Sixteen persons present, the President
in the chair. Mr. Weeks acted as Recording Secretary in the
absence of Mr. Engelhardt.
Mr. Edgar L,. Dickerson gave an outline of the scope and
character of the work carried on in the entomological labora-
tory of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station since
1889, embracing special investigations and methods of control
of the mosquito and San Jose scale and insects infesting the
the cranberry, squash, blackberry, etc., instruction in elemen-
tary entomology, formation of collections for the use of the
Station and the State Museum, and the preparation and distri-
bution of bulletins, reports, lists of insects and other entomo-
logical information.
Mr. William C. Wood exhibited some microscopical slides
showing examples of the pollen of a species of Asdepias having
two small pinions with oddily jointed ribs attached to a neuc-
leus which was cleft sufficiently to admit of the insertion of the
legs and feet of butterflies visiting the plant and to which the
pollen adhered firmly and thus promoted fertilization as the
insect flitted from flower to flower. Specimens of/, aniia, P.
troilns, C. eubule and A. cybele, collected at Miami, Florida, in
June and July, with pollen clinging to their tibiae and tarsi,
were shown.
ARCHIBALD C. WEEKS, Secretary.
June, '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 2OQ
of the insect ; joints 3 and 6, including the spur, longest and subequal in
length, each of them about as long as joints 4 and 5 combined ; the fifth
slightly longer than the fourth ; all, except the spur, are provided with a
few long stiff hairs or bristles. Tail and end of body as in the migrant ;
nectaries much shorter than in either the migrant or pupa, or only about
one-fourth the length of the body, rather stout near the middle, tapering
toward each end and curved outwards. Abdomen without spots, the
whole body, including the nectaries and legs, profusely provided with
stiff hairs or bristles, similar to those of Chaitophorus. Length about 1.4
mm.; diameter across the abdomen about 0.8 mm.
Trichosiphum kuwanai n. sp.
Among the material of aphids sent by Mr. S. I. Kuwana, of
the Imperial Agricultural Experiment Station, Nishigahara,
Tokio, Japan, were found three parcels of alcoholic specimens
of apterous females, larvae and a few pupae of this species,
though none of the migrants. All were found living upon
Quercus serrata on the 27th and 2Qth of June, and on the 2nd
of August, 1905. Those taken in June are stated to be of a
deep black color, whereas those obtained in August are said
to be reddish brown. An examination of the entire material
convinces the writer that all of them belong to the same spe-
cies, which he herewith takes pleasure in dedicating to Mr.
Kuwana.
This is, therefore, the second female, in which the nectaries
of the apterous females are short, stout and fusiform.
Apterous Female. — Antennae about one-half the length of the body;
joints 3-6, including the spur, varying more or less in length in different
specimens and frequently in the same individual ; the third joint as usual
is longer than the two following joints combined, the latter subequal in
length. All of the joints, excepting the spur, are provided with long,
stiff bristles. Front of head broad and quite straight. Eyes large, their
posterior tubercle much elongated and bearing three large ocelli at the
end; sides of the thorax quite straight, broadening more or less distinctly
posteriorly, while the abdomen is almost circular in outline. The legs
are rather long and stout, and like the rest of the insect, profusely cov-
ered with stout stiff bristles. Nectaries usually somewhat longer than
the third antennal joint, or about one-half as long as the abdomen, stout,
tapering toward each end and curved outwardly, covered with numerous
long bristles and minute spines.
Tail short, broadly triangular, bearing a short triangular point at the
centre of the posterior edge, densely covered with minute sharp points
and furnished on each side with three or more long stout bristles. Last
210 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Qune, '06
ventral segment broadly emarginate. In the older specimens the color-
ation appears to be quite uniform, whereas in younger females, there are
six irregular rows of large, oval or roundish dusky or brownish spots on
the abdomen, interspersed with numerous smaller spots of two sizes, each
of the latter bearing a slender black hair; there are also four large lateral
spots in front of the nectaries, while the head and thorax are entirely of a
dark color; there are also two pairs of dark spots on the meso- and meta-
thorax, the anterior pair on each of these segments being much the
smaller and transversely linear.
The larvae are very much elongated, their lateral margins quite paral-
lel : the body is also more or less distinctly spotted, and the hairs of the
abdomen are rather long and slender. Nectaries short, about the length
of the posterior tarsi, stout at base, elongate-conical, not reaching to the
end of the abdomen ; just behind each of them is a stout and conical
lateral tubercle, about one-half the length of the nectaries, bearing at the
apex a long, slender, backwardly directed bristle, while a similar though
smaller pair of tubercles is situated at the posterior margin of the follow-
ing segment. The last dorsal segment is broadly triangular.
The pup;e are spotted similarly to the younger apterous females, and
are also very hairy, though the nectaries are longer, quite slender/though
still somewhat fusiform.
— • <«» • —
Texas Notes — I.
BY E. DWIGHT SANDERSON.
i. — Omileus epictzroides L/ec. — A snout weevil injurious to
peach foliage. Injury by this species to peach foliage was
first called to our attention by two correspondents in East
Texas early in March, 1904. The beetles were reported as
seriously injuring the foliage of young peach trees. The same
insect had done similar injury the year previous. Examina-
tion showed them to be wingless, and their control therefore
appeared simple. The insects seemed most numerous during
the first ten days of April. Visiting Dialville, in the heart of
the peach belt, on April 29th, we found them still abundant.
The foliage had been eaten much as by Lachno sterna. The
sexes had been mating for some time. The beetles were
shaken from the trees with great difficulty so that jarring was
not feasible. They were noticed most commonly on tender
sprouts from oak stumps. It developed that they were injur-
ious almost entirely on or adjoining newly planted orchards on
land just cleared off and surrounded by oak. It seems to us
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ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
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VOL. XVII.
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No. 8.
CONTENTS:
Aklrich— Baron Osten Sacken 269
Johnson — Baron Osten Sacken 273
Crawford — A new Halictus from Nebr. 275
Skinner — Studies of Pyrgus syrichtus,
tessellata, ocridentalis and monti-
vagus 277
Weber — Notes. on Mosquitoes 279
Rehn— Some I'tah Orthoptera 284
Grossbeck — A new Limacodid 289
Sanborn— Macrosiphum granaria 290
Howard— Diaspis pentagona 291
Wellman — Glossina palpalis wellmani 294
Viereck — Vespoidae from Connecticut 302
Busck — Notes on Tortricid genera 305
Girault — A new species of Eulophidae 305
Editorial 3°8
Notes and News 3°9
Doings of Societies 311
Baron Osten Sacken.
BY J. M. ALDRICH.
(Plate XI)
Karl Robert Romanovich, Baron von der Osten Sacken,
commonly known among entomologists as C. R. Osten Sacken,
was born in St. Petersburg, August 21, 1828, and died at his
home in Heidelberg, Germany, on May 20, 1906.
In 1849 young Osten Sacken entered the service of the Rus-
sian Imperial Foreign Office. After some years of apprentice-
ship in diplomacy, he was in 1856 appointed Secretary of Le-
gation in Washington. In 1862 he was made Consul General
for Russia in New York City, and held the position until 1871,
when he retired from the diplomatic service. After several
journeys to Europe and back, he again settled in the United
States, this time as a private citizen, and remained until 1877 ;
in this year he returned to Europe, making his home in
Heidelberg the remainder of his life.
From 1856 to 1877, it will be seen, Osten Sacken was almost
continuously a resident of the United States. Before this lie
had begun to work on Diptera, especially Tipulidae. Imme-
We have received two interesting accounts of the life of Baron
Osten Sacken, who may almost be called an American entomologist.
These are by two eminent dipterists, and, not caring to discriminate, we
decided to publish both. — EDS.
269
270 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
diately on getting settled in this country he began to organize
things for extensive dipterological research. He published (in
1859) a catalogue of the described North American Diptera ;
he collected a large amount of material in the order ; he made
the acquaintance of most of the collectors in various parts of
the country, and had them send him their Diptera ; most of
his accumulations he sent to L,oew in Guben, Prussia, for de-
scription, reserving only a few families, principally the Tipu-
lidse and Tabanidse, for himself; he also established relations
with the Smithsonian Institution which resulted in the publi-
cation of a large part of the descriptive matter prepared by
Loew and himself in the four volumes called by the general
title of " Monographs of North American Diptera " ; in short,
it may be said that for some twenty-one years nearly all the
work done on the order was directly due to the tremendous
energy of Osten Sacken. Toward the close of the period,
after visiting the principal type collections of Diptera in
Europe, he published a second catalogue of North American
Diptera, this time critical in character and exhibiting the
actual status of the order in a manner which for clearness,
completeness, and absolute mastery of the subject must for-
ever remain an unapproachable model for later workers in the
order. Osten Sacken had practically created himself all the
main subject matter of the catalogue ; hence the impossibility
of any later entomologist ever occupying a similar position
with regard to it.
In addition to the Smithsonian monographs and his two
catalogues, Osten Sacken' s Prodrome to a Monograph of
North American Tabanidae, published by the Boston Society
of Natural History, and L/oew's Centuries of North American
Diptera (one thousand new species, published in Germany),
embody the principal results of his labors.
As a fitting climax to his achievements, Osten Sacken suc-
cessfully conducted a rather difficult and delicate negotiation,
by which Loew was reimbursed for his labors on the North
American material, and surrendered it all to the Museum of
Comparative Zoology at Harvard, at that time much the best
depository in the United States for such material. Osten
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 271
Sacken donated all his own material to the same institution,
and the Loew-Osten Sacken type collection of Diptera was
thus established ; it still remains in good condition, and we
may expect will continue to be useful for many years to come.
After returning to Europe, Osten Sacken felt that his labors
in descriptive entomology were practically at an end. He
continued to publish papers on the larger phases of classifica-
tion, on insect habits, historical researches on entomology, etc.,
nip to a few years before his death. In 1886-87 ne published
216 pages of Vol. I. of the Diptera in the Biologia Centrali-
Americana. In 1903 and 1904 he published his " Record of
My Life Work in Entomology" (parts I and II printed in
Cambridge, Mass. ; part III in Heidelberg), which gives not
only a review of his own activity, but includes critical esti-
mates of several contemporary entomologists, and much his-
torical matter on dipterology in general.
Osten Sacken 's entomological work was almost completed
twenty-eight years ago, hence he seems to belong to a genera-
tion that has long passed away. Only one living dipterist of
this country, so far as I know, had a personal acquaintance
with him — I allude to S. W. Williston, who met him on his
last trip to this country.
Osten Sacken wrote in Russian, German, French, Italian,
English, and on occasion in Latin ; he preferred English, in
which he had a literary style distinguished for clearness, force
and accuracy. The striking qualities of his character were
energy, farsightedness, persistence, keen discrimination, and
conscientiousness. No pecuniary consideration ever lessened
the completeness of his devotion to the Diptera. He always
sought to be impartial, but the bent of his mind was such that
he could never appreciate the argument of a man who dis-
agreed with him. Such people seemed to him either mildly
insane, or else animated with a personal animosity towards
himself. In a letter to the writer, he says in regard to Loew,
' I am conscious of having been perfectly fair towards him in
my Record. I never doubted for an instant that he was a
perfectly honest and veracious man. His idiosyncrasies I
incline to ascribe to a congenital defect of the brain which
272 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
disturbed its normal function and finally culminated in the
brain disease to which he succumbed. Every one of us, very
probably, is afflicted with some malformation of this kind
which more or less impairs his mental vision." May we be
as charitable wTith Osten Sacken in regard to the tw7o or three
animosities which he especially cherished.
As a correspondent, he was delightful. During his Ameri-
can residence he accumulated large numbers of letters from
entomologists in various parts of the country, which it seems
from his Record he faithfully preserved till his death. This
material would be of great value if ultimately acquired by
some American institution ; the history of American ento-
mology during the '5o's, '6o's and 'yo's is largely embalmed
therein.
Two years ago he wrote, " As the Grandfather of American
Dipterology, I am very much interested in the progress of my
descendants."
On another occasion, "At my age a man does well, when
he is able to do so, to withdraw from his usual occupation or
profession, and to leave the field for a younger generation.
For about fifty years I have worked hard in my science and
have reason to be content with the result. My Record I hope
to have published bye and bye, and shall allow myself from
time to time to publish " obiter dicta" on dipterology, like the
short articles which have appeared in the Ent. M. M., London,
recently. But, with these exceptions, I give up entomology,
and shall not take any part in discussions. In man}- points
my opinions are peculiar. I have explained them distinctly
enough in my writings, and posterity will pronounce upon
them. For this reason I do not enter into any further discus-
sion about * * *, the result of which is, for me, of sovereign
indifference."
And yet again, "My health is excellent, but my brain is
easily tired and my working power has much diminished. I
am in the position of a traveler at a railway station, waiting
for a train to depart with. This departure I expect without
the slightest apprehension."
He was a man, take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again.
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 273
Charles Robert v. d. Osten Sacken.
BY C. W. JOHNSON.
Baron Osten Sacken was born in St. Petersburg. Russia,
August 2T, 1828, and died at Heidelberg, Germany, May 2O,
1906. Educated in St. Petersburg, he entered into the service
of the Imperial Office in 1849. ^n J^56 he was appointed
Secretary of Legation in Washington, and in 1862 Consul
General of Russia in New York. Resigning in 1871, he
returned to Europe, and in the autumn of 1873 revisited the
United States, remaining until 1877, having been a resident of
this country for twenty-one years.
At the early age of eleven he began to take an interest in
entomology, his first paper appearing in 1854, "Proposal for a
new classification of the Tipulidse brevipalpi," based upon a
detailed study of their male genital organs." These ideas were
later incorporated in his paper on "New genera and species of
North American Tipulida?," etc., in 1860, and in his "Mono-
graph on the North American Tipulidae," in 1869. Additional
notes on this family appeared in 1886-87 under the title
"Studies on Tipulidge." In 1858 Osten Sacken published the
first catalogue of North American Diptera. This work was fol-
lowed by that laborious and thankless task, the translating and
editing of Loew's manuscript of his three monographs ; the
first appearing in 1862, the second in 1864, and the third, after
an unaccountable delay on Loew's part, in 1872. Before the
publication of his own monograph on the tipulidse (part iv)
the original manuscript was destroyed by a fire which occurred
at Smithsonian Institution, January 24, 1865. and had to be
rewritten, the volume not appearing until January, 1869. In
recently referring to this matter, which is not mentioned in the
monograph, he says: "The loss did not, in the end, turn out
to be a loss to science. During a journey to Europe which I
undertook soon after it had happened, I gained a great deal
of information in the museums I visited that proved a benefit
to the work when I reproduced it." Following the work on
the monographs, his principal publications were: "Prodrome
of a Monograph of the North American Tabanida?," 1875;
274 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
"Western Diptera," 1877, and "Catalogue of North American
Diptera," 1878.
It is indeed fortunate that such an able, generous, self-sacri-
ficing man, having always the interest of American Dipterology
at heart, should have taken up the study of this neglected order.
In his co-operation with Loew he had an understanding that all
species described by him should eventually be returned to the
United States. This scheme, he says, "enabled me to receive
without stint the numerous contributions in collections and
specimens which were most generously put at my disposal by
different collectors during my long residence in the United
States." In 1877, owing to Loew's rapidly declining health,
Osten Sacken attended personally to the transfer of the col-
lection to Cambridge. This collection contained about 1300
species described by Loew, 330 identified by him, and about
1 200 unidentified species; combined with Osten Sacken's col-
lection, which comprises his types of Tipulidas, the entire col-
lection of Tabanid?e, Western Diptera, etc., makes a total of
about 1800 determined species.
Since 1877 Baron Osten Sacken made his home in Heidel-
berg and continued his studies of the Diptera, publishing
numerous papers, including "Enumeration of the Diptera of the
Malay Archipelago," etc., 1881 ; "An Essay of Comparative
Chsetotaxy," etc., 1881, revised in 1884; "Diptera from the
Philippine Islands," etc., 1882; "The Diptera Orthorrhapha"
in "Biologia Centrali-Americana," 1886; "Studies on Tipulidae,"
pt. I, 1886, pt. 2, 1887; On the Characters of the Three Divis-
ions of Diptera : Nemocera vera, Nemocera anomala and Ere-
mochaeta, 1892 ; On the so-called "Bugonia" of the Ancients,
1893, revised in 1894, with additional notes in 1895 ; "Record
of my Life-work in Entomology," pts. I, 2, 1903, pt. 3, 1904.
His entomological publications in all number 179, and he
described over 360 species of North American Diptera, and
about 100 from the Malay Archipelago, Philippines, etc.
Baron Osten Sacken possessed what is so frequently wanting
in scientific men, a thorough mastery of details, undoubtedly an
inborn characteristic, which stood by him to the last and enabled
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 275
him to produce that wonderfully concise book, "Record of my
Life-work in Entomology," a volume which so fittingly rounds
out the life-work of this remarkable man. This fascinating
book tells, among other things, the many differences existing
among the contemporaneous dipterologists — a personal bibliog-
raphy, as it were, in which the one at fault is always severely
criticised. On the other hand, meritorious works and deeds
are extolled in terms of true and lasting friendship. His man-
ner of criticism is perhaps best shown in the following para-
graph : "In regard to Loew I state here once for all that, while
condemning his injustice in the strongest terms, I do not
mean to impugn his personal character as a man of truth and
honor. Loew, without any question, was a very superior man,
far superior to me in natural ability, as well as learning. His
colossal labors stand for him; what I have done has been to
place his work in a better light and to give it a more distinct
definition, which was due to history."
Usually he wrote his name C. R. Osten Sacken. In some of
the library catalogues in which they have endeavored to give
full names, it is Karl Robert Romanovich baron von Osten
Sacken. I have adopted the name as it appears in his last
publication, printed below his portrait accompanying part 3
of his life-work in entomology.
A new Halictus from Nebraska.
BY J. C. CRAWFORD.
Halictus swenki n. sp.— 9-
Form rather slender, head and thorax black, segments 1-3 of abdomen
red, segment I with a blotch of black at base, segments 4 and 5 black;
apical margins of segments lighter, of 4 almost hyaline.
Facial quadrangle slightly longer than broad, hardly narrowed below,
supraclypeal area and base of clypeus finely lineolate and finely sparsely
punctured, clypeus apically shiny and with sparse larger punctures;
face above antennae shiny, somewhat roughened and with fine shallow
indistinct punctures; the whole face almost concealed by white appresed
pubescence; flagellum beneath, except 2 or 3 basal segments, red;
mesothorax with rather abundant whitish pubescence, finely lineolate,
276 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
slightly shiny, with very fine rather close punctures; median groove
well impressed, parapsidal grooves not very plain ; truncation of meta-
thorax not surrounded by a salient rim, its surface reticulately lineolate
and with a few oblique punctures and from center of base a few short
radiating strias; base of metathorax finely reticulately lineolate, dull,
with a few irregularly longitudinal striae reaching about half way to
apex except occasionally two or three medial ones which reach almost
to apex ; mesopleurae roughened, vertically striate, with oblique punc-
tures, more apparent anteriorly; metapleurse finely lineolate, slightly
vertically striate, with a few scattered punctures more numerous at the
upper posteiror angles; wings hyaline, nervures and stigma light honey-
color, third submarginal about one-third longer than second, narrowed
about one-third to marginal; tegulze largely testaceous; legs black,
anterior and middle knees, a stripe on front of anterior tibise and apical
joints of tarsi reddish; hind inner spur with about four long teeth;
abdomen transversely lineolate, closely and minutely punctured, segment
I almost impunctate ; bases of segments 2 and 3 with indistinct lateral
hair patches; segments 4 and 5 covered with thin whitish pubescence;
venter with segments 1-3 red, rest black.
Length about 7^2-8 mm.
Six specimens from West Point, Nebraska, June 15, 1905;
on Rosa arkensena (Prof. L. Bruner and Harry Smith).
This species is named after Mr. Myron H. Swenk, from
whom I first received the species, in recognition of his excel-
lent work on the bees of Nebraska.
In general form this is like H. galpinsiae Ckll., but that
species has the head strongly punctured, the mesothorax much
more closely punctured, the first segment of abdomen not
transversely lineolate, as well as having the entire abdomen
black. H. ovaliccps Ckll., the only described species from the
United States with a red abdomen, has the face much longer
and the punctures of the mesothorax much closer and stronger,
nervures dark, etc.
This species has a most remarkable resemblance in its
general form and color to Sphecodogastra te.vana Cress., which,
in addition to its generic differences, also differs in the strong
punctures of the head, larger size, first segment of abdomen
not transversely lineolate, etc.
The type has been deposited in the National Museum and
paratypes in the collections of the American Entomological
Society and the University of Nebraska.
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Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 277
Studies of Pyrgus syrichtus, tessellata, occidentals
and montivagus.
BY HENRY SKINNER.
(Plate XII)
There has always been much confusion in the literature in
regard to syrichtus, tessellata and montivagus. W. H. Ed-
wards placed the latter as a variety of tessellata. Scudder put
his tessellata as a synonym of montivagus. Godman and Sal-
vin in the Biologia also place tessellata under montivagus.
Reakirt's original description gives the locality of montivagus
as Rocky Mountains, Colorado Territory. (Coll. Tryon Rea-
kirt, "Mexico, near Vera Cruz.")
The Reakirt collection was purchased by Herman Strecker,
and in the third supplement to his Rhop. et Het. he says he
possesses the types of montivagus, "one $ , one 9. , Rocky
Mts., Colorado."
Some years ago I examined these types, and they are
syrichtus Fab. The original description also applies better to
syrichtus than to tessellata, and I quote as follows: "Hind
wings with a marginal and sub marginal row of rounded
spots," — secondaries (below) "two transverse white maculate
bands; one near the base of three spots, edged posteriorly with
brown lines, the other is mesial, of irregular outline, and bor-
dered with black lines on both sides." The maculate bands in
tessellata are of a light greenish color, and in syrichtus there are
no real mocular bands except as an outline in black.* I have
never seen syrichtus from Colorado, and it is possible there
may be an error in regard to Reakirt's locality, such mistakes
being common enough in those days. I have a svrichtus from
southwestern Texas and Key West, Fla.. but from no other
places in the United States. There can be no question as to
what is means by tessellata. The original description says
"marginal row of spots on upper side of hind wing reduced to
*In some specimens the inferiors below are light brown as though
covered with a thin wash of this color, and the bands are more or less
distinct, but hardly as well marked as in tcsscllala and not greenish in
color.
278 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
a row of mere points or obsolete. Two pale greenish mocular
bands on secondaries below."
Syrichtus $ has the inner half of the wings covered by long
white downy hairs. The females differ in maculation as do the
males of the two species, but the differences are not as well
marked. Syrichtus 9 is more brown than black. They may
be separated from tesseUata 2 at a glance. In the NEWS, vol.
xvii, page 96, I indicated a new form under the name Pyrgus
occidentals. This is not a species, but only a form or geograph-
ical race of tesseUata. It has bothered me for a long time and
has frequently been sent to me to name. It is smaller than
tcsscllata and whiter in color, and the spots are larger in pro-
portion to the ground color. It expands in the $ 25 mm. ;
whereas tcsscllata expands 32 mm. This is an average size for
the two.
I have specimens from Northwest Territory (Geddes), Cali-
fornia, Arizona, and Texas.
Syrichtus and tesseUata may be compared as follows :
Syrichtus c? TesseUata <£
A marginal row of white spots A marginal row of white pin
on upper side of inferiors.
Macular bands on inferiors be-
low pale greenish.
Long white downy hair on inner
points on upper side of inferiors or
obsolete.
Macular bands on inferiors be-
low white or brownish.
No such hair.
half of wings.
The females may be separated in the same way, except that
the white hair is lacking in this sex. According to Godman and
Salvin the genitalia of the two are different. The distribution of
the species outside of the United States is given in the Biologia.
I HAVE been getting a considerable number of Hesperidas to name
and I am glad to see such an interest in these little butterflies, which
have been so much neglected. Outside of the comma variations they
have splendid specific characters, and with so many recent figures it
seems strange that they prove so difficult to collectors. I am always
willing to name spread specimens in this family. Mr. J. H. Cook (Sept.
Jour., N. Y. Ent. Soc.) is to be congratulated on telling us what
Thanaos ausonius really is. — HENRY SKINNER.
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 279
Notes on Mosquitoes.
BY DR. S. E. WEBER, Lancaster, Pa.
(Continued from p. 217, Vol. xvii, No. 6.)
DAY MOSQUITOES.
Culicada Felt (Culex) canadensis Theobald.
This species I have found to be distinctively a day mosquito.
Its peculiar habits are somewhat modified according to the
stage of the season. Observations were made in 1901 on this
form in southwestern Pennsylvania, along the Susquehanna
River, where it was found in abundance breeding in the waters
of the old abandoned tide-water canal. The adults made their
first appearance May 23rd, when at 10 a. m. a specimen was
captured in the act of probing the point of my finger for blood.
The last one of the season was seen October agth in the after-
noon.
Their attacks in the early part of the season were invaribly
made from 10 a.m. until noon, and in the gloaming of the
evening, and by the latter part of September they were noticed
during the middle of the day only, and not in the evening, for
it seemed now too cool for this species to fly. In October they
were numerous in the afternoon, more so between 2 and 3
o'clock, and on warm days were very annoying at that time.
In a bark-pile, about 500 yards away from a breeding place,
they seemed to have their abode, since they were intolerable
at that place. Aside from the Anopheles this was the common
species found in the immediately locality of Shenk's Ferry,
Penna.
That the day-time habit is not only confined to this species
is shown by the fact that C. triseriatns Say will also make her
attacks in day time. In the handling of thousands of Culc.\
pipiens none has ever effered to bite me, but Culicada tyisctia-
tus have alighted directly from the vessel where they were bred
on my hand for the first sip of blood.
The same peculiarity may also be noted in other genera,
notably in Anopheles, but in these species the day-time habit
was only noticed in their first appearance in the spring.
280 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
ANOPHELES.
The species of this genus most common in the lower Sus-
quehanna River breeding district are A. maculipennis Meig.
and A. punctipennis Say, where I have taken the larvae from
the standing waters in the bed of the tide-water canal.
DAY HABITS.
Adults of both these species were taken from the windows in
houses (on damp days) in March, 1901. In April they be-
come active outdoors, more particularly in a garden where the
shrubbery seemed to be full of them, In an old shop, close to
this garden, they were also numerous, and at these two places
the attacks from these insects were fierce and persistent in day
time during the month of April. On the iyth, a warm day,
were very numerous and seemed determined for blood. They
appeared in the garden mostly in the afternoon and allowed
themselves to be pushed from place to place on the back of
one's hand. A member of the family while at repose in the
middle of the day was bitten on her arm by an A. punctipennis
in five places, which was caused by the victim in her sleep push-
ing the mosquito around until five rosy spots with pale centres
were left on her arm. This demonstrates the persistence in
getting the first sop after a season of rest. The more persist-
ent specimens seem to have been the gravid females. And this
peculiarity attending the day habit of these species I have only
observed with their first appearance in the spring.
A. maculipennis is the most common in breeding district of
the Susquehanna River, where it was found in such abundance
that the people living in certain localities were obliged to kill
numbers every evening before retiring. In small sleeping
rooms in some dwellings gravid females, in some instances of
unusual size, even without charge of ova and blood, were
taken from rooms where the blood was often extracted from
small children. Mosquitoes and malaria in this, like other
localities, even these days of better knowledge, is still tolera-
ted. From summer cottages on the banks of the Susquehanna
I have known whole families to return home with malarial
fever, and numerous individual cases whose infection was re-
ceived from a visit along the river.
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 281
The periodic visits in houses some distance away from the
canal bed was a peculiarity observed in this species ; these were
more prevalent for a few days or a week, and more particularly
so on some days just before rain, when they seemed more
active in their efforts in trying to get into the houses. Their
hibernating as well as abode during activity was found in old
shops, pig stables, spring houses, barns, etc.
In the breeding and hibernating place reproduction (see PI.
IX), we find A. pimctipennis the most common species of the
Anopheles, which I have found breeding in rain barrels. From
observations in neglected yards I infer that these forms breed
more in such places than is generally admitted. In the yard
illustrated they were found in rain barrels and began to breed
in July, lasting until the end of September, being most prolific
during the month of August, e.g. in 1904, the highest number
in a single barrel was four generations, aggregating upwards
of 200 A. punctipennis larvae. The egg deposits have been
from six to fifty and upward of sixty.
THE NATURAL ENEMY.
The dragonflies I have noticed as one of the most import-
ant factors in the destruction of mosquitoes in rural districts,
but not in cities. I have found several species of mites on the
Anopheles mentioned, as well as Chelanops sanborni and other
pseudoscorpions. In the larvae the protozoa were of much
annoyance in the rain barrel generations, some of them being
literally covered with Vorticella so that their movements were
much checked. They were most numerous on the first three
abdominal segments where they were out of reach from the
larva's mouth brushes, and it required quite an effort for the
larvae to keep them from occluding the air tube. The beauti-
ful flower-like clusters of Vorticella are not the only infusor-
ians, since numbers of Parameecia and other animalcules were
constantly hovering around them, and even at their mouth
with safety, when particles of dust, etc., were eaten with dis-
patch by the larvae.
One of the most important points in control work on mos-
quitoes is to distinguish between the various species of larvae,
282 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
which are the principal factors with which the sanitarian has
to deal. Since the young larvae of Anopheles and that of Culex
territans resemble one another in general appearance, and both
possess the same food habit and remain at the surface of the
water up to the 4th or 5th day, we may briefly compare the
two forms, for it is not within the limits of these notes to give
an account of the interesting life history of C. territans, which
has not been treated completely.
The egg laying process of C. territans is somewhat similar
to that of C. pipiens, the mass is built on the same geometrical
plan, but the eggs are smaller and the process of color trans-
formations are different. The mass usually contains about 150
eggs, and are of a canary-yellow color when deposited ; the
usual color changes taking place in about 10 hours when they
may be found changed to a polished black color. The egg
state in May and early part of June is about 38 hours. The
young larvae when first hatched differ from those of C. pipiens
in many respects. Up to about 4 or 5 days old they are of a
brown color. The thorax is of a pale or whitish color ante-
riorly, while the posterior part is brown. The first 3 abdom-
inal segments are of a brown color, but the 4th abdominal seg-
ment is colorless, and the 5th, 6th and yth are dark brown.
The general shape is more slender than that of C. pipiens of
the same age, which renders it a different picture from the
latter when seen on the water. It seems more pointed towards
the end or wedge shaped like that of A. pundipennis of same
age, when seen with the naked eye. It requires close obser-
vation to recognize the difference from the latter since they are
often found of about the same color and both spotted black and
white. In A. punctipennis the 3rd abdominal segment is white;
in C. territans the 4th segment is white at the same age. The
larvae of C. territans at this period of its life seems to lie hori-
zontally at the surface of the water like Anopheles, but virtu-
ally it is below the surface, generally to the depth of the length
of its breathing tube.
Like the larvae of A. punctipennis those of C. territans, when
disturbed, will remain on the surface of the water, dart away
in different directions in short jerky interruptions of move-
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 283
ment. The larvae of C. pipiens when disturbed will immedi-
ately take a drop downward in the water and often a whole
gregation will descend in the unison of a single larva upon
the slightest disturbance.
In my observation on the first generation of C. territans lar-
vae I was surprised on morning of the sixth day of the larva
on seeing apparently no larvae in the vessel. They now
changed their habit of remaining on the surface of the water
and descended when the vessel was touched, but did not stay
down as long as other allied species, and on the whole fed
more at the surface than at the bottom. The wide difference
psychologicallv removes C. territans from the pipiens group,
and is an example of physical expression or actions, etc., in
animal life corresponding with anatomical structure. One of
the most marked differences is found in the tracheal system.
In the larvae of the stage above mentioned we find very little
more in the development than is present in A. punctipennis
larvae at the same stage of life. The main tube of the respira-
tory system does not contain any dilatation and is of uniform
calibre from its opening at the apex of the air tube to its rami-
fications in the thorax. The system is constructed so widely
different from that of C. pipiens in the same stage that they
may be termed incomparable, but are similar to Anopheles.
The transformations in the life history of C. territans are made
with more dispatch than in some other forms, whole genera-
tions will pupate inside of 24 hours, and one of the most inter-
esting actions is the quick moulting process ; when they have
arrived at that period they may be scared out of their skin
upon the least provocation. If one of these larvae is picked
up with a pipette it may come out a pupae, so quick is their
transformation. The life cycle of this species occupies gener-
ally about 1 6 days, more or less, according to conditions.
Breeding is continuous. Winter is probably passed, as adults
which make their appearance the latter part of May.
I HAVE had occasion to look into the validity of Thecla edwardsii
Saunders as a species, which stands in our lists. I have been unable
to find any good reason to separate it from calanus Hubn. I will be
pleased to have specimens of what is called edwardsii and gladly cor-
respond with anyone interested in the subject. — HENRY SKINNER.
284 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
Some Utah Orthoptera.
BY JAMES A. G. REHN.
The Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences having received
a small but very interesting collection of Orthoptera, col-
lected by one of its expeditions into southwestern Utah, turned
the material over to the author for study. The localities repre-
sented are all in Iron, Beaver and Piute Counties, except a few
specimens from Salt Lake City, and as the region has been little
visited the records are of considerable interest and value. A
new species of the genus Platybothrus, was collected and is
described herein.
Acrydium iucurvatuni (Hancock).
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County.
These specimens are perfectly typical of this form, which
has been recorded from Washington, New Mexico and
Colorado.
Cordillacris affinis Morse.
Buckskin Valley, Iron County; Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver
County.
One specimen has the longitudinal bar on the caudal femora
as present in C. occipitalis in addition to the transverse blotches.
Platybothrus alticola n. sp.
Type. — $ ; Beaver Range Mountains, 8,000-10,000 feet,
Beaver and Piute Counties, Utah. [Brooklyn Inst. Arts and
Sciences.]
Differing from P. brunneus (Thomas) in the considerably
smaller size, the slightly more angulate fastigium, the more
inflated tegmina and more robust caudal femora. From P.
sordidus (McNeill) it differs in the tegmina being hardly
shorter than the tip of the abdomen, in the pronotum being
divided about in the middle and in the smaller size.
Size small ; form robust. Head with the occiput moderately inflated,
the vertex gently declivent to the fastigium, which, when viewed
dorsad, is rectangulate with the margins very slightly concave; foveolae
strongly oblong, nearly three times as long as the greatest width,
strongly impressed; face slightly retreating, arcuate; frontal costa
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 285
broad, slightly narrowing dorsad, failing to reach the clypeal sulcus by
a considerable distance, biseriate and irregularly punctate, not sulcate;
eye but little longer than broad, in length very slightly greater than
the infra-ocular sulcus ; antennas in length somewhat greater than the
length of the head and pronotum together, depressed, blunt. Pronotum
slightly longer than the head, carinae distinct, the lateral subparallel to
the first transverse sulcus, slightly and regularly expanding to the caudal
margin ; cephalic and caudal margins broadly obtuse-angulate, that of the
caudal margin more marked than of the cephalic, principal trans-
verse sulcus cutting the median carina about in the middle; lateral
lobes regularly but not greatly narrowed ventrad, the ventral width
contained about once and a half in the depth. Interspace between
the mesosternal lobes nearly twice as broad as long; interspace between
the metasternal lobes cuneiform. Tegmina reaching to the tips
of the cerci, inflated the broad costal field extending practically
to the apex, which is narrowly rounded and nearer the sutural
than the costal margin; anal field with its margin gently arcuate.
Wings considerably shorter than the tegmina. Cephalic and median
limbs not inflated. Caudal femora slightly longer than the tegmina, the
.greatest width contained about three and a half times in the length;
caudal tibiae with thirteen spines on the external margin.
General color ecru drab marked with seal brown. Head with a line
ventrad of the foveolae, the infra-ocular sulcus and a line behind the
eyes seal brown, while the dorsal aspect of the head is broccoli brown;
antennae drab except proximad where the general color is present.
Pronotum with the maculations on the lateral lobes usually found in
this genus seal brown, with a general tone of broccoli brown dorsad,
marked mesad of the lateral lobes with clove brown, which fades toward
the median carina. Tegmina wood brown with a number of irregularly
placed faint maculations. Abdomen marked with clove brown as
usual in the genus. Caudal femur with three oblique fasciae on the
dorsal half of the lateral face, seal brown in color, a cloud of the same
color is present at the base of the ventral section of the genicular lobes
and the genicular arches are clove brown; caudal tibiae vermilion, pale
proximad and distad, spines black in their apical half.
\\ I XSl'KKMKNT.
Length of body 14.5 mm.
Length of pronotum 3 mm.
Length of tegmcn 8.5 mm.
Length of caudal femur 9.6 mm.
A paratypic male has also been examined.
Stirapleura decussata Scudder.
South Creek, Beaver County; Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver
County.
286 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
This species presents a great amount of color variation,
some individuals being quite dull and unicolor, except for the
markings on the tegmina and limbs, while others have the head
and pronotum strikingly marked with dark brown.
Stirapleura delicatula (Scudder).
Buckskin Valley, Iron County; Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver
County.
These fully agree with a Kansas specimen.
Aulocara elliotti (Thomas).
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County.
Arphia canora Rehn.
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County.
This specimen has the fastigium slightly thicker than in
typical canora,, while the general size is slightly less, but other-
wise it is inseparable.
Arphia teporata Scudder.
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County.
The specimens examined possess red wings and agree fairly
well with representatives from Otero County, New Mexico.
Ghortophaga viridifasciata (DeGeer).
Buckskin Valley, Iron County.
Camnula pellucida (Scudder).
Beaver Canyon and Beaver Valley, Beaver County ; Beaver
Creek Hills, Beaver County.
Hippiscus corallipes (Haldeman).
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County ; South Creek, Beaver
County.
Specimens with the disk of the wings both red and greenish-
yellow have been examined.
Hippiscus neglectus (Thomas).
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County; South Creek, Beaver
County.
Considerable variation is noticed in. this species, some indi-
viduals being decidedly blackish, others have the arcuate band
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 287
of the wings faint and one has the caudal margin of the
pronotum distinctly marked with pale buff, which strongly con-
trasts with the blackish-brown of the pronotum.
Hippiscus calthulus (Saussure).
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County.
These specimens ( $ and $ ) do not wholly agree with
Saussure's description, but are no doubt nearer this species
than H. latcritins (Saussure), which has the internal face of the
caudal femora unicolor instead of fasciate and the metazona
transversely plicato-rugose cephalad. The wings in the speci-
mens examined are red.
Dissosteira spurcata Saussure.
Salt Lake City,
Three males and one female of this species constitute the
first record outside of California and Oregon.
Derotmema cupidineum Scudder.
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County.
Derotmema rileyanum Saussure.
South Creek, Beaver County.
A specimen from Salt Lake City is also doubtfully assigned
to this species.
Trimerotropis ierruginea McNeill.
Beaver Creek Hills and Beaver Canyon, Beaver County.
One specimen of this species is quite hoary, but is otherwise
inseparable from a normal dull ferruginous male from the same
locality.
Trimerotropis laticincta Saussure.
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County.
This species has been recorded from Colorado, New Mexico,
Texas and Nebraska.
Trimerotropis strenua McNeill.
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County; Salt Lake City.
Trimerotropis vincinculata Scudder.
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County.
Trimerotropis cyaneipennis Brurier.
South Creek, Beaver County.
288 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
Circotettix carlinianus (Thomas).
Beaver Valley, Beaver County.
Circotettix suffusus (Scudder).
Beaver Canyon, Beaver County.
Gircotettix undnlatus (Thomas).
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County.
Heliastus aridus (Bruner).
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County; South Creek, Beaver
County; St. George, Washington County.
Schistocerca vennsta Scudder.
Beaver Canyon, Beaver County.
Melanoplus cinereus Scudder.
Salt Lake City.
Melanoplus atlanis (Riley).
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County.
Melanoplus femur-rubrum (DeGeer).
Beaver Canyon, Beaver County.
Melanoplus packardii Scudder.
Salt Lake City ; Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County ; Beaver
Range Mountains, 8,000-10,000 feet.
The single female from Salt Lake City is considerably larger
than the two males from southwestern Utah, and slightly
larger than the Beaver Range Mountains female.
Melanoplus bivittatus (Say).
Beaver Valley.
Scudderia furcata Brunner.
Beaver City, Beaver County.
Anabrus simplex Haldeman.
Wildcat Valley, Beaver County.
Steiroxys pallidipalpus (Thomas).
Beaver Canyon, Beaver County.
(Ecanthus niveus (DeGeer).
Beaver Creek Hills, Beaver County.
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 289
A New Limacodid.
BY JOHN A. GROSSBECK.
Monoleuca spadicis n. sp.
<$. — Expanse, 22 mm. — Head and thorax bright cinnamon-brown;
abdomen buff, reddish at the apex of the segments. Primaries light
cinnamon-brown, the outer half somewhat paler; fringe partially dark
like basal half. A narrow sinuous white line begins one-third from
the base a little below cubitus and extends inwardly obliquely to the
inner margin, but does not cross the fringe. A few white scales forming
an indistinct broken line on the outer fourth of the wing can also be
made out ; this begins at the costa and extends but a short distance into
the wing. Secondaries uniformly concolorous with the outer portion of
the primaries. Beneath both wings are reddish buff, darker on the
Costal area.
Habitat: — Minnehaha, Ariz., August 26. One specimen. in
good condition from Mr. Hutson.
Type:— Col. J. A. Grossbeck.
This is the only western species of the genus so far known.
It is a close ally to snbdcntosa Dyar, but in that species the
transverse band is upright and sharply angulate.
Pyrgus centaureae Ramb.
Occasionally, a particular insect is brought to the notice of
entomologists in "Notes and News," or otherwise by a record
of a capture, a new locality, or by an unusually late or early
appearance, and though some of us have had experiences with
the same insect we rarely bring out our own observations until
we see that some one else has begun. Then not infrequently
a general interest is aroused and the notes resulting form a
really valuable contribution to our knowledge of the species.
I saw Dr. Skinner's note on the above species in the June,
1905, number of the "News," and that by Mr. Cook in the
March, 1906, issue, and I thought perhaps a note of mine might
not be devoid of interest since it appears that the species is
usually taken in single examples only or in threes or fours at
most. I have collected on the Garret Mountain, at Paterson,
N. J., every spring for the past five years, and find centaureae
on the wing sparingly about April 25 ; in the first flays of May
it is fairly abundant and is then in a very fresh condition. I
have taken a dozen in a walk of a few hours and have seen
2QO ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
others, when the species was not the special object of my
search. May 14 is the date of my latest capture, but the speci-
mens at this time are very worn, for their period of flight is
short. They are found almost always in open spaces sur-
rounded by trees, where the sun shines hottest, skipping around
the bluets (Houstonia cacrulca), which often carpet the
ground in these places. They are very wary and most easily
lost sight of on account of their manner of flight and their
sombre color. To go after these insects on a cloudy day would
be quite useless, for they seem to prefer nooks where scarcely a
breeze blows, and disappear among the grass even while the
sun is obscured by a passing cloud.
Macrosiphum granaria Buckton.
BY C. E. SANBORN.
Winged viviparous female.
Head yellowish green; antennae; first and second segments also base
of third concolorous, remainder black. Length of segments, i, 0.13
mm.; 2, 0.08 mm.; 3, 0.56 mm.: 4, 0.48 mm.; 5, 0.39 mm.; 6, o. II mm.;
7, 0.67 mm. Total length 2.49 mm. The sixth segment extends to the
caudal end of the style. Sensoria circular, seven to ten on the third,
nearly in a straight row, none on the fourth, the usual distal one on
the fifth, and a group of seven or eight small ones at the distal end
of the sixth segment. Eyes dark red, occular tubercles prominent,
ocelli prominent. Beak, first segment concolorous, second and third
dark, 0.58 mm. long, extending to the meta-coxse.
Prothorax yellowish green. Thoracic lobes dark, insertions yel-
lowish ; wings deflexed and normal, veins brownish, stigma smoky gray,
0.83 mm. long by 0.15 mm. broad. Total wing expansion 7.3 mm.
Femora yellowish green proximally, and dark distally. Tibia yellowish
green except distals, which are dark. Tarsi black.
Abdomen glabrous, yellowish green. Honey tubes cylindrical, black,
strongly reticulated, 0.41 mm. long, extending a little caudad the base
of the style. Latter yellowish green, halbert shaped, with a few
setaceous hairs, 0.33 mm. long.
This form was found colonizing the leaves and stalks of oats
June 3, 1904, at College Station, Texas.
What is apparently the same species was sent from the
Naturhistorisches Museum zu Hamburg, by Dr. L. Rep, col-
lected February 10, 1904, on oats, at Boernsen, Germany.
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 291
On the parasites of Diaspis pentagona.
BY L. O. HOWARD, Washington, D. C.
Diaspis pcntagona has long been a resident of the District of
Columbia, surely since 1892, when it was discovered on the
grounds of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (Insect Life,
vi, 287). Its prevalence in Italy upon the mulberry tree ren-
ders it a very dangerous enemy of the silk industry in that
country, and Italian entomologists, notably the late Professor
Targioni Tozzetti and Professor Antonio Berlese, have long
sought means of eradicating it. In the absence of records of
parasitism it was not at first thought to be at all feasible to
utilize its natural enemies. In the summer of 1905, however,
Professor Berlese urged the writer, in Florence, to send to
Italy branches of trees infested by the Diaspis from America
in the hope that parasites might be reared. Curiously enough,
this scale does not seem to attack mulberry in the United States,
and on the grounds of the Department of Agriculture there
existed, until within a short time, a peach tree literally covered
with the scale, within a hundred yards of mulberry trees \vhich
did not become infested. In the spring of 1906, during the
writer's absence on a second trip to Europe, Mr. Marlatt
secured a number of branches of lilac from the District of
Columbia all abundantly infested by the scale, and sent them,
carefully packed, to Professor Berlese. From these scales were
bred in Florence three species of parasites : the first, Tctra-
stichus canadcnsis Ashmead : the second, Prospalta uutrtfcldtii
Howard, and the third, a new species of Prospalta. On the
writer's return to Washington at the end of May other
branches were taken from the same tree, and rearing experi-
ments were begun here. More than 200 specimens of the new
species of Prospalta have been reared, 25 to 50 specimens of
Ablents clislocampae Ashmead, and two specimens of Peris-
soptcrns pulchcllits Howard. We have, then, four species of
primary parasites of Diaspis pcntagona to place on record, as
follows :
(i) Prospalta berlcsci n. sp. One specimen reared in Flor-
ence by Professor Antonio Berlese from scales sent from Wash-
2Q2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
ington, and more than 200 specimens reared at Washington
from June 20 to July 5, from scales taken from the same tree.
(2) Ablerus clisiocampae Ashmead. Originally supposed to
have been reared from the eggs of CHsiocampa, but, with little
doubt, in reality reared from some Diaspine scale covered by
CHsiocampa egg-mass. Subsequently reared from Chionaspis
furfur us } in the District of Columbia, and from Aspidiotus
forbesi on pear and apple, from Champaign, 111., the latter
rearing by Mr. W. G. Johnson.
(3) Pcrissoptcrus pidchellus Howard. Originally reared
from a Lecauiodiaspis on linden in the District of Columbia
in 1879 ; later from a L'ecaniodiaspis from East Atchison, Mo. ;
from Chionaspis pinifoliac from Providence, R. I., and from
Aspidiotus forbesi on currant at Champaign, 111., the latter
rearing having been made by Mr. W. G. Johnson ; now reared
in two specimens from Diaspis pcntagona at Washington.
(4) Prospalta nntrtfcldtii Howard. Originally reared from
Aspidiotus uvae by Miss Mary E. Murtfeldt at Kirkwood, Mo.,
in 1888 : later from Aspidiotus forbesi on cherry and currant
by Mr. W. G. Johnson at Champaign, 111., and now reared by
Professor Antonio Berlese from Diaspis pentagona at Florence,
Italy, received from Washington, D. C.
(5) There is also one, presumably hyperparasitic, reared by
Professor Berlese at Florence from Diaspis pentagona received
from Washington, D. C. This is Tetrastichns canadcnsis Ash-
mead.
It now only remains to describe the new Prospalta, remarking
upon the strange fact that this presumably American species
should have first been reared by Professor Berlese in Florence.
Prospalta berlesei n. sp.
Female. — Length, 0.73 mm. ; expanse. 1.47 mm ; greatest width of fore-
wing. 0.19 mm. Comes close to P. anrantii. Joint one of funicle about
as long as pedicel, but slightly narrower; joint two rather shorter than
joint one; joint three longer than joint one, and a little broader; club
joints subequal in length, and each about as long as joint three of
funicle; the basal joint very slightly wider than joint three of funicle,
and the terminal joint tapering from near base to its pointed tip. In
general effect the flagellum is longer and more filiform than in P. anran-
tii. Surface of thorax smooth, General color, a bright straw-yellow ;
Oct., 'o6j
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
293
ocelli coral-red, eyes black; mesoscutellar parapsides black; abdomen
fuscous, with narrow, light yellow bands between the segments ; meta-
notum fuscous; antennae light yellow-brown; legs yellowish; wings hya-
line, with a very slight dusky shade on disc; veins yellowish; forewings
as with P. anrantii, but proportionately slightly longer and broader;
disc densely, uniformly covered with very short cilia; marginal cilia
of both wings as with P. aitrantii.
Male. — Unknown.
Described from many specimens reared from Diaspis pcnta-
gona, Washington, D. C., June, 1906.
Type No. 9942, U. S. National Museum.
ADDITIONAL SPECIES OF MINNESOTA DIPTERA. — Since the printing of
the Tenth Annual Report of the Minnesota Entomologist, in December,
1905, about 75 additional species of Dintera. captured in that State, have
been named, representing the following families:
Agromyzidse, Anthomyidse. Bibionidas, Cecidomvidas, Chiromonida;,
Culicida?, Dolichopodidae. Drosophilida?. Empidje. Ephydridae, Geomy-
zida?, Helomy/id.T. Leptidre, Lonchoptcrida?, Muscidae. Mycetophilida?,
OrtalidcT. Oscinidre, Pipunculidse, Psilidae, Sapromyzidse. Scatophagidse,
Sciomyzidse, Sepsida?, Simuliidae, Syrphidre, Tachinidre. Trypetida-.
These species have been listed, and a copy of the list mailed to each
Station Entomologist and others known to be interested. Any one
failing to receive a copy, and desiring one. can obtain it by writing to
Mr, F. L. Washburn, Experiment Station, St, Anthony Park, Minn.
294 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
Glossina palpalis wellmani: a new Tse-Tse Fly
which disseminates human trypanosomiasis.
BY F. C. WELLMAN.
Published under the imprimatur of the Amer. Soc. Tropical Medicine.
(Plate XII)
INTRODUCTION.
When in London last year I was asked by the Dipterologist
of the British Museum, Mr. E. E. Austen, to see if I could
establish the presence of Tse-tse flies in southern Angola, from
whence no specimens had up to that time been received. On
arriving at Benguella I accordingly made a short journey up
the Katumbela River for this purpose, and succeeded in taking
a number of specimens of a fly, some of which I sent to Mr.
Austen for determination. I then supposed from my amateur
examination of the flies that they were Gl. palpalis Rob.-Des.,
as I knew that this fly is the principal Tse-tse fly of the west
coast,* although I had received some specimens of what I
believed to be Gl. morsitans from the interior to the east.t I
have since received a letter from Mr. Austen, however, con-
cerning them, in which he writes as follows : "The present
specimens show that the form of Glossina palpalis found in
Benguella represents a new subspecies, distinct from the typical
form. I have therefore named it in your honor — Glossina pal-
palis wellmani." Although Mr. Austen's systematic descrip-
tion of the flyt is available, yet in view of the probable future
importance of the animal to medical men practicing in south-
west Africa, I have thought it worth while to in these columns
call further attention to this new subspecies.
Glossina palpalis wellmani Austen (1905), Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist, ser,
7, vol. xv, April, 1905, p. 390.
<?, ?. — Frontal stripe pale ochraceous ; thoracic markings much re-
duced, so that the thorax in a well- preserved specimen appears spotted,
the antero-lateral markings taking the form of spots or blotches ; the
*Vide Austen, A Monograph of the Tse-tse Flies, 1903, p. 75.
^Vide New York Medical Journal, August 12, 1905, p. 329. This
collection was accidentally destroyed but I have sent to the same district
for more.
JAnnals and Magazine of National History, Ser. 7, Vol. xv, April,
1905, P- 390.
Oct., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
295
spot iin mediately behind tlic inner extremity of the humeral callus on
each side small, ovoid, or nearly circular, and especially conspicuous
when the insect is viewed from above and slightly from behind ; femora
pale, the dark blotches much reduced.
Glossina welhnani.
Katumbela River, Angola, W. Africa; November, 1904 (Dr.
F. C. IVcllman}. Six specimens (i $, 5 5). Types in
British Museum.
Remarks. In the paper containing his description just
quoted Mr. Austen says, "The British Museum possess two
females of Gl. palpalis from the Gambia (Dr. J. E. Dntton}
belonging to a form somewhat similar to wcllinaiii; in the
Gambian form, however, the ground-color of the abdomen is
paler and the thorax is less conspicuously spotted."
296 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
HABITAT.
My specimens were taken in a small district lying along
both banks of the lower stretches of the Katumbela River,
which empties into the sea near the port of Bengtiella, Portu-
guese West Africa. Mr. Austen writes,* "The above speci-
mens are of especial interest as being the first recorded ex-
amples of any form of Gl. palp alls from Portuguese West
Africa, and as showing that the range of the species in ques-
tion, which has recently been stated by Laverant to occur at
Sengaleam (about thirty miles from Cape Verde), extends
at least as far south as 12° 30' S. lat. In all probability Glos-
sina palpalis wellmani will eventually be proved to exist right
down to the Cunene River, the southern border of Angola, if
not further." Mr. Austen also wrote me suggesting that I
try to establish the southern limit of the new fly. I have accord-
ingly kept a sharp lookout for it and have made further in-
quiries concerning it with the meager result that I have received
a single badly-damaged specimen of a Tse-tse fly purporting
to come from the lower Kukema River, a couple of hundred
miles to the east of the place where I found the subspecies
*
under discussion, and a native report to the effect that a "fly
belt" is known to exist on the upper Coanza still further inland.
In view of Mr. Austen's belief that GL palpalis wellmani
extends to the Cunene River I have visited the upper Cunene
but failed to find any Tse-tse flies, and now, in accordance with
his suggestion, written me when the flies were first discovered,
I hope to, before long, visit the lower river with this object
in view. I At least one species of Tse-tse is common in north-
ern Angola and along the lower Coanza. This may very pos-
sibly be wcllmani. The distribution of the species palpalis
(with its subspecies and varieties) is now known to extend
practically from Cape Verde to Damara Land.§
*Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. loc. fit.
^Comfites Rcndus des seances de V Academic des Sciences, t. cxxxix,
p. 659.
t Mr. Ralstone, of the Benguella Railroad, has recently informed me
that a Tse-tse fly is found lower down on the Cunene River. This is
very probably Gl. palpalis wellmani.
\ Austen, Reports of the Sleeping Sickness Commission of the Royal
Society, No. vi. August, 1905, pp. 279-80.
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 297
NOTE ON BIONOMICS.
I can offer no extensive contribution to our knowledge of the
habits of the subspecies. I present here a few special notes
made at the time of collecting. "Although the district in which
the flies were taken contains some game, including eland
(Oreas canna livingstonei}, kudu (Strepsiceros kudu), roan
antelope (Hippotragus eqitimis), the duyker (CephalolopJius
griimni) and Speke's tragelaph (Limnotragus spekei), yet I
believe that human blood forms the greater part of their food.
This is undoubtedly true over at least a part of the 'belt.' Along
the right bank of the lower Katumbela from a place called
Esupua to a point half a day's march up the river there lies the
great Benguella caravan route near which there is little or no
big game and over which constantly pass great caravans of
half-naked Bantu rubber, slave and ivory traders. At Esupua
one may see half a dozen of these large caravans camping in
one place. It is here that the flies are most plentiful. They
hide in the tall grass and sedges near the river, also on stones,
trunks of trees and vines, and among the leaves of the low trees
on the bank. When a native is sent to the river for water the
flies rise from their resting places as he passes and follow
him seeking for an opportunity to bite. On several different
occasions I followed natives going to the river to fetch water.
One of these was bitten twice, three were bitten once each, and
seven were not bitten at all. The Bantus say the bite is pain-
ful, and I noticed that if a fly settled on a porter's back the man
always slapped himself as it began to insert its probosces.
Some of the specimens I took had abdomens greatly distended
with blood. The flies do not always remain so close to the river.
The first one I saw was between three and four hundred yards
from the river in thin 'desert' bush, consisting of Acacia
rcficiens and other thorny shrubs which afford practically no
shade. I do not believe Gl. palp alls ivcllinani shares the dislike
for human ordure which has been ascribed to its congeners. I
have frequently seen it in and around the filthiest native camps
at some distance from the river where it had evidently gone for
the purpose of sucking human blood. I have made no observa-
tions on the life history. I dissected an incomplete larva out
298 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
of the abdomen of a female. It was, I judge, rather more than
2.0 mm. long and of a light dirty yellow color. I have sent
to Esupua to procure if possible some living flies and also some
in alcohol so as to be able to send Mr. Austen a series of larvae.
The pupa I have not seen."
THE NEW FLY AND TRYPANOSOMIASIS.
I have lately seen three cases of human trypanosomiasis, all
of whom had been frequently in the "fly belt" at Esupua.
About 500 blood examinations were made, so that about three
Fig. i. — Tr. ? g-ambietise Button.
out of every 500 natives living in the districts adjacent to the
Esupua "fly belt" harbor trypanosomes in their blood. The try-
panosome found seems to be morphologically identical with Tr.
gambiense Button. The shape of the posterior end, the ar-
rangement of the controsome, nucleus and flagellum, as well
as the "set" of the organism on the slide, correspond with the
same points in Tr. gambiense. The protoplasm stains some-
what irregularly with Romanowsky, taking on a basophilic
reaction. The centrosome stains a dark purple, and the flagel-
lum, which stains pink, seems to rise from or near it. The
nucleus lies near the middle of the body and often occupies more
than two-thirds the width of the parasite. It is oval in shape
and stains red like other chromatin material. Following are
measurements of a stained specimen of the parasite :
Length (about) 24
Greatest width 3.5
• Distance of centrosome from posterior end 3
Length of free flagellum (about) 9
Largest diameter of nucleus 4
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 299
I have described and figured this parasite in another com-
munication to which I refer the reader.* While sleeping sick-
ness does not seem to be endemic as yet in the districts adja-
cent to the Esupua "fly belt,"t yet it is endemic in many situa-
tions in Angola from the north bank of the Coanza River clear
to the Congo. As the country is being opened up it is inevi-
table that cases will from time to time be brought from the
northern sleeping sickness centers to districts in the south,
since many firms have trading posts and the Government has
forts in both districts between which native soldiers and
laborers are constantly being transferred. More forts are con-
stantly being planted and trading posts established. The
Umbundo-speaking Bantus, who number about 200,000, live to
the east of the belt infested by the fly, and most of the males of
these tribes are porters and rubber traders and constantly pass
through the Esupua "fly belt," through which such occasional
cases of trypanosomiasis:}; from Malange, Cazengo, Ambaca,
Dondo and other points in the sleeping sickness districts north
of the Coanza, to which I have above referred, are carried by
the activities just mentioned. Thus, the flies have and will
have more and more favorable opportunities to become infected
and to infect the Umbundos among whom I have recently
demonstrated the occasional presence of trypanosomiasis. I
believe for several reasons that this presence of trypanosomiasis
among the natives of south Angola is a recent development.
Some of these reasons are :
(1) Two years ago I examined a series of nearly 400 of
these natives with a negative result. f
(2) Recently about 500 examined by me revealed three
infected individuals in practically the same district.
(3) No cases of sleeping sickness originating in the dis-
trict have vet been seen.
*Interim Report on Trypanosomiasis in Portuguese Southwest Africa.
•\Vide Wcllman, Notes from Angola (Note X, Jour. Trop. Med.,
November 15, 1905, p. 327..
$As sleeping sickness cases are occasionally transported, those in
the earlier stages of trypanosomiasis are undoubtedly also brought south.
Jour. Trop. Mcd., February 15, 1904, p. 53.
300 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
(4) Sleeping sickness is reported to be spreading southward
through Angola.
In view of the considerations brought forward under this
head, we need not be surprised (if we remember the history
of the spread of scourges of Uganda and the Congo) if Gl.
palp alls wcllmani play in the near future a leading role in West
African Medical History.
RELATION OF GL. PALPALIS WELLMANI TO OTHER TSB-TSE
FLIES.
The Tse-flies are known from other members of the same
family by the palpi forming a complete sheath for the proboscis,
by the peculiar antennae with
branched hairs on the upper surface
only of the arista, by the character-
istic wing venation, by the wings
closing over one another like scis-
sors, by the grooved wing mem-
brane and by the peculiar hypopy-
gium of the $ . Following are brief
Fig. 2.— Proboscis and palpi of Gl.
notes Oil the known Species with palpalis wellmani separated
and magnified.
some special remarks on the par-
ticular species to which belongs the fly we have been discussing.
Genus GLOSSINA Wiedemann.
(1) Glossina tachinoides Westwood. — Described in 1850.
Carries Trypanosoma brucei of nagana, the Tse-tse fly disease
of game and domestic animals in Africa. Hind tarsi dark;
abdomen buff with dark transverse bands, oblong pale area in
center of second segment. Small species. Length 8 mm.
(2) Gl. palpalis, Robineau-Desvoidy. — Described in 1830.
Carries Tr. gambicnsc, the parasite of human trypanosomiasis,
which is considered to be the chief factor in sleeping sickness,
and also Tr. brucei. Abdomen brown with triangular pale
area in center of second segment. Darker than preceding and
a larger species. Third joint of antennas dark. Length 8-9 mm.
It is a variable species and under it falls the subspecies above
considered :
ENT. NEWS, VOL. XVII.
PI. XIII.
\
FIG 1. H/CMATOPOTA. FIG. 2. GLOSSINA. FIG. 3. STOMOXYS.
FIG. 4. RIGHT ANTENNA GL. WELLMANI. FIG. 5. WING OF GL. WELLMANI.
FIRST THREE FIGURES SHOW RESTING POSITION OF SOME BLOOD-SUCKING FLIES.
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 3OI
Gl. palpalis u'cllinani Austen. — Described in 1905. Differs
from type by having the frontal stripe pale ochraceous ; thoracic
markings much reduced, presenting a spotted appearance; spot
behind humeral callus small, avoid or nearly circular; femora
pale, the dark blotches much reduced.
There is also an unnamed variety which was at first desig-
nated GL palpalis var. tachinoidcs Westw., and was thought to
represent a fly which, when true specimens were obtained, was
recognized by Mr. Austen to be of specific rank (Gl. tachinoides
Westw. [indc supra]), the variation from Gl. palpalis remain-
ing unnamed at last accounts received here, and I therefore set
it down for the purposes of this paper as
Gl. palpalis var. a. — It is distinguished from Gl. palpalis
principally by its' pale femora and a yellow median stripe on
the abdomen.* There is also another variation from the typical
G7. palpalis which may be differentiated as follows :
Gl. palpalis var. b. — Femora still paler than foregoing; palpi
pale except at tips ; abdomen reddish brown with the pale area
on second segment oblong, f
(3) Gl. pallicera Bigot. — Described in 1891. Color brown
to mouse grey. Resembles Gl. palpalis except that third joint
of antennae is pale (orange buff). Length 8 mm.
(4) GL pallidipcs Austen. — Described in 1903. Carries Tr.
bntcei. Mouse brown with longitudinal markings. Front and
middle tarsi generally tipped with pale brown or yellow.
Large species. Length about 11 mm.
(5) GL longipalpis Wiedemann. — Described in 1830. Dif-
fers from preceding in having black tips to last two joints of
front and mid tarsi. Thorax olive grey ; head broad ; hypopy-
gium in $ smaller, darker and more hairy than in foregoing
species. Length 9-11 mm.
(6) GL tuorsitiins Westwood. — Described in 1850. Carries
Tr. bntcei. Smaller and head narrower ; hypopygium of $ also
larger and paler than in foreging. Thorax pale in front with
brownish longitudinal markings. Eyes in both $ and $ con-
verge towards vertex. Tips of last two joints of tarsi dark,
Resembles G7. pallidipcs. Length 7-9 mm.
*/>nY. Mcd. Jour., loc. cit.
Wbid.
302 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
(/) Gl. longipennis Corti. — Described in 1895. Carries Tr.
brucci and probably another trypanosome of camels and mules.
Brownisb ; dorsum of thorax with four sharp, dark oval spots
in form of parallelogram, two in front and two behind trans-
verse suture. Bulb of proboscis brown at tip. Large species.
Length 10-11 mm.
(8) Gl. fttsca Walker. — Described in 1849. Thorax drab.
No spots on dorsum of thorax as in preceding ; bulb at base of
proboscis not brown at tip (pale yellow) ; abdomen russet
brown. Large pale species. Length 11-12 mm.
In conclusion, I wish to thank Mr. Austen, the well-known
authority on Tse-tse flies, who kindly examined and described
my collections and suggested to me the study of the distribution
and pathological importance of the subspecies discussed in this
paper.
— * .
New species of Vespoidea from Connecticut.
BY H. L. VIERECK.
Tiphia waldonii n. sp.
Related to fioridana, from which it is readily distinguished
by its structure and the color of the wings.
c? 8 mm. — Color black. Face shining in part, largely opaque, and
mostly closely punctured, the punctures adjoining and sufficiently coarse
to give a rugulose appearance. The portion of the face immediately
anterior to the anterior ocellus is shining and has well separated punc-
tures. The vertex is sculptured in the same way as the preceding area.
The distance between the posterior ocelli is not quite as great as that
between them and the nearest eye margin. The second joint of the
antennae nearly as thick as the third and of the same length or a trifle
shorter. Excepting the first joint, the joints of the antennae are sub-
equal. Pronotum distinctly margined anteriorly. The pronotum, meso-
notum and scutellum punctured in much the same way as the vertex.
The postscutellum reticulate. The metanotum with two oblong areas,
that are adjoining and approximately three times as long as wide at
base, being a little narrower at the apex than at the base. These areas
are formed by rather distinct raised lines, and the spaces themselves
are somewhat shining and somewhat roughened. The first abdominal
segment approximately as in fioridana. The median tuberculate im-
punctate at apex of first dorsal abdominal segment extending to the
apical margin. The succeeding abdominal segments all punctured, the
apical more closely than the basal segments. The wings are hyaline,
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 303
cloudy shade. The stigma very dark hrown, the nervure brownish
testaceous. The third abscissa of the radius with the second transverse
culbitus forming an obtuse angle. The tubcrculate process on the first
abdominal segment is apparently not normal, as in the paratype it is
absent.
Type locality. — New Haven, Conn.
One male collected by B. H. Waldon, August 16, 1904.
Paratype male from North Haven, Conn., by the same col-
lector, August 3, 1905.
Tipliia brunneicornis n. sp.
la many respects this answers the unsatisfactorily brief
description of tar da (say). From the same, however, it dif-
fers in having the stigma brown instead of black. Color black,
face mostly shining, with close and with greater part almost
adjoining punctures.
<$ 7 mm. — The vertex polished and with the punctures quite separate.
The distance between the posterior ocelli approximately a little greater
than that between them and the nearest eye margin. The relation
between the antennas joints practically as in •waldonii. The pronotum,
mesonotum and scutellum bearing the same relation to the vertex as in
the preceding species. The postscutcllum closely punctured, having a
rugulusc appearance. The enclosure on the metanotum in the form of a
trapezium, forming but a single area, with the basal and apical sides
parallel, the apical side being a little shorter than the basal side. The
area shining and finely roughened. The wings practically as in
waldonii, but the etoid abscissa of the radius forming with the second
transverse cubitus a reversed figure "3." Abdomen polished with the
first and second segments sparsely, finely punctured, the punctures on
each succeeding segment becoming closer and more distinct. The first
abdominal segment with a median transverse groove as in waldonii.
Type locality. — New Haven, Conn.
One male collected by II. L. Viereck, July 6, 1904.
Tipliia eyregia n. sp.
c? 6 mm. — Head and thorax approximately as in the preceding species.
Wings as in waldonii. Abdomen as in brunneicornis, but there is no
transverse median groove on the first abdominal segment. The mandibles
almost entirely blackish. The antenna: brownish beneath, and the tarsi
brownish. The area of the metanotum partially bisected by a median
raised line. Inclosure is nearly smooth, being finely roughened.
Type locality. — New Haven, Conn.
304 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
One male collected August 3, 1905, by H. L. Viereck. Para-
type male, collected at West Rock, New Haven, Conn., August
13, 1905, by the same collector.
Tiphia relativa n. sp.
In structure and sculpture approximately like the preceding species.
The antennae entirely black and the tarsi more blackish than brownish.
The inclosure is rather coarsely rugulose with no trace of a bisecting
line. In the paratype the inclosure is more or less completely bisected.
The typical form has the wings colorless, excepting the nervures and the
stigma. Four of the paratypes belong to a variety with brownish wings.
Type locality. — North Haven, August 3, 1905 (B. H. W.).
The var. from E. Hartford, August 2, and Scotland.
Odynerus (Ancistrocerus) waldonii n. sp.
Closely related to birenimaculatus, but with ornaments white
as in albophaleratus.
? 13 mm. — In most respects like birenimaculatus. The metathorax,
however, different in that the ridges bordering the posterior aspect are
not very transient and lacking two sharp teeth at the summit. The
maculation differs as has already been pointed out. In addition to the
difference in color, there is a difference in extent and pattern. For
example, the scape, postscutellum and metathorax are immaculate,
excepting four small dots on the postscutellum. The second dorsal
abdominal segment is immaculate, except the apical margin. The
clypeus has two brown dots, one a short distance on either side of the
center or near the center. There is a median longitudinal brown line on
the posterior fourth of the clypeus, extending to the superior margin of
the clypeus. On the anterior third of the clypeus, extending to the
anterior margin, there is a brown funnel-shaped mark, terminating in a
brown line. There are no two lateral oblique spots on the first abdo-
minal segment. The coxae are immaculate, as are the femora, except a
yellow spot at apex of the anterior femora, and more or less brownish
at anterior aspect of the anterior femora, and a narrow brownish margin
at apex of middle and posterior femora. The tibiae on the anterior
aspect and outer aspect mostly yellow, brown posteriorily and at apex.
Tarsi entirely brown.
Type locality. — New Haven, Conn.
One female taken May 15, 1903, by B. H. Waldon.
Anoplius humilis Cress.
Previously known only in the 9 sex. The $ differs from
the 9. in the usual way and in having nearly all of the basal
half of the posterior aspect of the posterior tibiae and the dorsal
apical abdominal segments whitish.
One $ , New Haven, June 9, 1905 (B. H. Waldon).
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 305
Notes on some Tortricid genera.
BY AUGUST BUSCK.
In his Handbook British Lepidoptera (1895) Meyrick in-
cludes Clemens' genus E.vartema in the European fauna on the
mistaken supposition that it is equivalent to Lederer's idea of
Eccopsis Zeller, and continental authors (Rebel & Baron de
Crombrugghe de Picquendaele) have adopted this synonomy.
Meyrick defines Clemens' genus correctly, though not ex-
haustively, but the single European species included, lati-
fasciana Haworth, does not answer to this description, having
veins 3 and 4 in the hind wings distinctly separate, not con-
nate or short-stalked as in the type and in the other American
species of the genus. Moreover, the hind wings in latifasciana
are narrower than the forewings instead of broader, as in
Clemens' genus, and the form of the hind wings is quite dif-
ferent, termen being very oblique and nearly straight, while
in the American forms it is less oblique, sinuate below apex and
bulging out at veins 3, 4 and 5 ; and the dorsal edge is evenly
rounded in latifasciana, not sharply incised at vein as is char-
acteristic of the genus Exartema.
There is, however, another European species, which is in
every respect identical in structure with E.vartcma, namely
Hartigiana Ratzeburg, and Lederer's genus Cymolomia pre-
cedes and must therefore supplant Clemens' genus.
No existing generic name seems applicable to the genus with
latifasciana as type and it may be known as Loxotcnna, which
name thus stands for Eccopsis Lederer (non Zeller), and
E.vartcina Meyrick (non Clemens).
A new species of Eulophidae.
BY A. ARSENE GIRAULT.
Eulophus guttiventris sp. nov.
Male. — Length, 1.45-1.58 mm.; 1.54 mm., average. — Body brilliant
metallic green, with the following exceptions; legs pale straw-yellow,
excepting portions, or most of all of the coxre, and the dusky apical
tarsal joints; antennae uniformly dusky, excepting the fulvous pedicel,
306 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
and the metallic-blue scape ; mandibles fuscous ; venation concolorous
with the legs ; ventral surface of the petiole pale ; wings clear, irride-
scent ; eyes garnet-red ; a large portion of the ventum of the basal half
of abdomen, pale, forming a whitish area; face metallic-blue; tibiae of
the posterior legs more dusky. Head rounded, at least three times wider
than long (dorsal aspect), the whole of the face concaved and mar-
ginate, shagreened with sparse whitish hairs ; eyes large, subreniform,
with minute hairs. Head wider than thorax. Thorax longer than head
and abdomen combined, shagreened, pilose; mesothorax with a deep
femoral furrow; on each side, just caudad of the insertion of the
posterior wings, a conspicuous tuft of stiff hairs. Portions of the pleura
and the metathorax glabrous. Abdomen ovate, broadest at caudal
fourth, pilose, the color somewhat variable in intensity. Segment two
longest, twice longer than 3 ; 3 and 4 equal ; 5, 6 and 7 equal, one-third
smaller than 3 ; the remaining segments abruptly narrowed, the anal
segment acute. Submarginal vein slightly longer than the marginal ;
postmarginal vein more than one-half as long as the marginal ; stigmal
vein distinct. Wings normal. Antennse p-jointed, hispid, 3-branched, a
branch arising from the side of the base of each of the three proximal
funicle joints, the proximal branch the longest; ring-joints absent;
ramifications of the antennae more hispid. Scape nearly club-shaped,
thickest at its middle, nearly as long as the next three joints com-
bined ; pedicel globate, about one-half the length, or more, of the first
funicle joint. Joint I of funicle cylindrical, about one-third the
length of the scape and slightly over half the length of the following
joint, its ramification more slender, and at least six times its own
length; joint 2, the same, nearly twice the length of joint i, inter-
mediate in length between i and 3, its ramification slenderer than itself,
and at least three times longer; funicle joint 3 twice the length of joint
I, slenderer, its ramification about equal to it in width, and at least twice
its own length. Funicle joints 4 and 5 slender, equal in width to the
ramification of the second funicle joint, about equal in length, both
slightly shorter than the scape, and one-third longer than joint 3. Club
abruptly thicker, about equal in length to joint 3 of the funicle, com-
posed of two closely united and unequal joints.
From three specimens.
Female. — Length, 2.2 mm., average. — The same; larger. Color of
the ventum of the abdomen more uniform, the large whitish spot more
or less indistinct; the thorax and sculcllum more strongly shagreened,
in fact punctate, the reticulations forming pentagons. Abdomen ovate,
wider, broadest at the middle, or at the third segment ; second abdo-
minal segment much the longest. Scape of antennre pale, the remaining
joints dusky. Antennae g-jointed, including a single ring-joint, cylindri-
cal, pilose. Scape long and cylindrical, longer than the first funicle
Oct, *06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 307
joint, but much shorter than the pedicel, ring-joint and first funicle
joints combined ; pedicel cuneate, about the shortest joint, about one-
third the length of the first funicle joint; joint i of funicle the longest
joint of the flagellum, nearly as long as the scape, and twice the length
of joint 3 of funicle; funicle joint 2 over one-half the length of joint I
of funicle, and one-half longer than the following joint; funicle joint
3 shorter, oval, slightly longer than the two distal joints of the antennae;
club 3-jointed, not very distinct from the funicle, its basal joint widely-
separated and truncate cephalad and with somewhat pointed lateral
angles; its two distal joints closely united, unequal in size; joint I of
club slightly shorter than joint 3 of funicle, joint 2 of club slightly
shorter than joint I of club, ovate; the final joint small, about equal
to the pedicel.
From two specimens.
Described from three males and two females reared from the
larva? of Tischcria maUfolidla Clemens, Washington, D. C.,
June 14-20, August 5 and 22 (Quaintance), and October 30,
1905, and Newark, Delaware, August 22, 1905 (C. P. Close),
on apple foliage, in connection with the Deciduous-fruit Insect
Investigations, Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Department of
Agriculture.
Type: — No. 9640, United States National Museum, I £ , 2 9 .
This species was pronounced new by Dr. William H. Ash-
mead, United States National Museum, Washington, D. C.,
to whom the writer acknowledges his indebtedness.
THE editor of the NEWS went to southeastern Idaho, in the sage
brush desert, during July, with the intention of doing some collecting
there and in the Yellowstone Park, but had the misfortune to be taken
sick in the sage brush desert, the heat in the west being unusually great
during the past summer. Whether the illness was due to the local con-
ditions or to the physical condition of the individual he does not care to
discuss, but he can't help thinking of the following:
Going west on the Union Pacific, through the southern portion of
Wyoming, the view is one of continuous sand and sage brush, a veritable
desert. It is told that Mark Twain was going through, one time, and
in the dining car his eye spied "Sage chicken" on the bill of fare. He
called the waiter and asked what that was.
"It's chicken, sah, raised right through here, sah."
"Can they fly?" asked the humorist.
"Yes, sah, they can fly, sah."
"Well, then, I don't want any. Anything that can fly and stays in this
country long enough to be killed can't be much good. None for me."
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items
of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given
in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at oui
earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep-
tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num-
ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or
important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five " extras," without change in form,
will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along
with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.— ED.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., OCTOBER, 1906.
The editorial department of the NEWS has its trials and tribu-
lations as well as its joys, and it may do some good to tell our
readers of both. We are in danger of ruining our bank bal-
ance trying to accommodate the people who wish to get in the
next number, and in endeavoring to please them this issue con-
tains forty pages. Much of the manuscript we receive is type-
written, but some received is a disgrace to the authors, neces-
sitating the looking up of scientific names in the literature,
which can only be guessed at from the writing. We don't know
all the names of insects and plants, and don't wish to, but some
authors appear to overestimate our knowledge. Then, some
names are proposed for the first time. Of course, the author
knows what they are, but others can only guess. One of our
joys is the fact that we get many letters in praise of the NEWS,
and if it did not please, it could not have the phenomenal and
steady growth which is continuously maintained. We regret
to say that some subscribers fail to appreciate it a dollar's
worth, and we have decided in future to make prepayment
compulsory.
MR. G. W. KIRKALDY, in the September, 1906, number of THE ENTO-
MOLOGIST, gives a list of papers of special interest to the British ento-
mologists (1905-06) ; he says, "There arc many papers published in
America of great value to British workers, although dealing exclusively
with American forms." Of fourteen titles, five were published in
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
308
Octt., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 309
Notes and Ne\vs.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
DR. JOHN B. SMITH is spending the summer in Europe. We hope
he may return greatly benefited.
E. C. COTTON has been appointed Assistant Entomologist at the
Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station.
DR. PHILIP P. CALVKRT has been in the western United States and
Mexico, and will attend the International Geological Congress in t In-
City of Mexico.
OTHO C. POLING and Karl Mueschen of Quincy, 111., have been on a
collecting trip in the southwest. We learn from a newspaper account
that they did some work near Silver City and Deming in New Mexico,
and at the latter place took a specimen of Sphin.v clsa. We will be
glad to hear more in regard to what they did.
PROF. F. H. Sxo\v, of the University of Kansas, has returned from a
collecting trip to the Baboquivari Mountains in southern Arizona. He
brought back a large collection of insects, including Amblychila baroni.
Prof. Snow has made many trips to the southwest on collecting expedi-
tions and has turned up many new and rare species in the past twenty-
five years.
"!T is probable that we are aware of more imperfections in the sys-
tem than Dr. Skinner is. owing to his lack of critical study of genera."
(Dr. Dyar on his classification of the Hesperidae.)
The gods forbid that Dr. Dyar publish any more of the imperfec-
tions he knows, as the thing is wretched enough as it stands. — HENRY
SKINNER.
EXPLANATION of Terms Used in Entomology. This very important
work, published by the Brooklyn Entomological Society, and prepared
by Dr. J. B. Smith, is now on sale. It is a publication that was badly
needed and the author and the Brooklyn Society are to be compli-
mented on its completion. We do not see how any working entomolo-
gist can possibly get along without a copy.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has never been published during July and
\ngust, and it is so stated on the second cover page. This is a time
of year when nearly everyone is devoting some time to collecting, and
most persons take their vacation, so the journal is not as much needed
during the two months mentioned. Moreover, the editors require a
rest from their laborious duties and prefer to take it during the hottest
summer weather. — EDS.
310 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
THE September issue of the NEWS contains an article by Mr. T. D. A.
Cockerell on preoccupied generic names of Coleoptera. No. 8 of this
article reads: "Polystoma Steph., 1835 (not Led., 1800); Etnplenota
Casey, 1884, is available."
I have no means to verify whether Lederstroem's (I believe)
Polystoma in Vermes is still a valid generic name; if so, Polystoma
Steph. must fall, and Casey's Emplenota takes its place. Polystoma
Steph.. however, has been lately universally assigned only a subgeneric
rank of Aleochara. On page 244 of the same article the parallel between
Coenonycha Horn, 1876, not Cocnonica Kraats, 1857, is not a good
illustration of the subject in discussion, as Coenonycha is derived from
the Greek roinos (common) and onyx (nail), whereas Coenonica is
composed of the words roinos and oikos (house). — A. FENYES.
TACHYRIS ILAIRE IN WEST VIRGINIA. — On June 12, 1906, while walk-
ing through a grassy orchard at French Creek, West Virginia, a large
white butterfly of unfamiliar appearance flew leisurely toward me and
alighted upon a red clover blossom. Calling to my little son, who was
chasing fritillaries near by, I took his net and caught the stranger. An
examination of the butterfly showed it to be a very well preserved male
of Tachyris ilalrc. The specimen is marked like those from Florida
described by Dr. Henry Skinner in ENT. NEWS, May 10, 1894, and for
which he proposed the varietal name ncumoegcnii. The wings above
are white, without the dark tips seen in the examples from Central
America. Beneath, the primaries show at the base distinct markings
of orange, and the secondaries are pale lemon-yellow.
This butterfly was taken within fifty yards of the spot where on
October I5th, 1905, I caught a Vanncssa j-album as it fluttered about
beneath the clap-board roof of an old wagon-shed. So far as my
knowledge extends, these are the only specimens of the two species that
have been collected in West Virginia, and they probably represent two of
the most extreme southern and northern forms which visit this locality. —
FRED E. BROOKS.
PROF. H. A. SURFACE, Economic Zoologist of Pennsylvania, states
that his present scientific assistants are A. F. Satterthwaith, Clerk;
N. G. Miller, Assistant, with the degree of Master of Sciences from
the Pennsylvania State College, ; L. R. White, Bachelor of Sciences,
Pennsylvania State College ; T. C. LeFevre, Bachelor of Science, Penn-
sylvania State College; D. K. McMillan, Bachelor of Science, Dickinson
College; Chas. F. Noll, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Pennsyl-
vania State College; W. H. Wolff, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture,
Pennsylvania State College; P. H. Hertzog, Bachelor of Pedagogy;
F. Z. Hartzell, Bachelor of Science in Biology, Lafayette College, and
W. R. McConnell. Bachelor of Sciences in Biology, Pennsylvania State
College. Some of these men are in the field as inspectors and others
Oct., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 311
are assisting in the office. There arc other assistants besides those
who are college graduates, but who are doing most excellent work
in a line that is greatly needed in this State at the present time.
The entomologists to the Board of Agriculture of the State are Frank-
lin Menges, York County, and D. J. Waller, Indiana County.
TAUGHT BY AN INSECT. — Brunei, the famous engineer, was indebted
to an insect for a great and useful invention. He was in a shipyard one
day watching the movements of an insect known in English as the
naval woodworm, when a brilliant thought suddenly occurred to him.
He saw that this creature bored its way into a large piece of wood upon
which it was operating by means of a very extraordinary mechanical
apparatus.
Looking at the animal attentively through a microscope, he found
that it was covered in front with a pair of valvular shells ; that with its
foot as a purchase it communicated rotary motion and a forward
impulse to the valves, which, acting upon the wood like a gimlet, pene-
trated its substance, and that as the particles of wood loosened they
passed through a fissure in the feet and thence through the body of the
borer to its mouth, where they were soon expelled.
"Here," said Brunei to himself, "is the sort of thing I want. Can I
reproduce it in an artificial form?" He forthwith set to work, and the
final result of his labors, after many failures, was the famous boring
shield with which the Thames tunnel was excavated. — Newspaper.
Doings of Societies.
The postponed meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social of
June 20, 1906, was held on the evening of June 27, 1906,
at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 S. I3th Street,
Philadelphia. The meeting was called to order at 9.10 P. M.,
President Daecke presiding. Eight members were present.
Mr. Harbeck called attention to an omission in the com-
munication of Mr. Daecke of last meeting, regarding the raising
of Balininus larvae. From ten chestnuts twenty-five larvae had
emerged, which were found this spring, dead and dried up in
the hatching jars.
Mr. Sciss spoke of some egg masses of Tcnodcra sincnsis
he had received from Mr. Laurent, October 5. He had first
observed the young on May 18, 1906, when batch one was
hatched, batch two was found May 20, while three was ob-
served May 24. He stated that when first hatched, they were
312 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., '06
of a pale cream color, but changed to a light brown after a few
hours exposure in the sun. Later they entirely disappeared
from view.
Mr. Schmitz, who had also received egg masses of the same
species from Mr. Laurent on the same date, reported having
first noticed the young on June 9, 1906, stating they ranged
from about ->s inch to 1*4 inches in length, the smaller ones
being of a light chocolate hue, while the largest were a pale
green, they seemed to be thriving, as they were observed at
different times catching their food; from 15 to 20 specimens
were seen scattered about.
Dr. Castle spoke of his trip with Mr. Daecke, May 27, 1906,
to Forked River Mountains, N. J. They camped on the summit
the first night ; he stated that the hill is composed of sandstone,
covered with gravel and large pebbles. The vegetation consists
of pine, oak and the average vegetation usually found in pine
barrens.
1 Mr. Harbeck stated that Dr. M. Swenk, of Nebraska Uni-
versity, had determined a lot of Collctes for him, and said that
among them was a new species taken at Clementon, N. J.
Mr. Daecke mentioned some of the material collected on his
trip with Dr. Castle on May 27, 1906, among which Chrysops
c.rcitans appeared, this species being new to the State ; the same
species was taken by Mr. H. W. Wenzel one week later at
the same place. Continuing, the speaker said he had received
Chryops sordidus from Mr. Weidt, collected in the Orange
Mountains last May, this species also being new to the State.
Mr. Daecke further reported Tephritis platyptera from Mer-
chantville, N. J., May 26, 1906, and Castle Rock, Pa., June
3, 1906.
Mr. H. W. Wenzel spoke of his recent trip to North Moun-
tain, Pa., June 16, 1906, which is situated in the Allegheny
Mountains. The speaker said where formerly the spruce was
found, the lumbermen have completely denuded the moun-
tains, not one spruce being left to tell the tale of the destruc-
tion of this virgin forest. The speaker exhibited some (about
eighty) species of Cole opt era taken on this trip, a number of
the species belonging to the Canadian fauna.
THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE WEST COAST
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SPECIES ON THE WEST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES
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The plates cover all species described and represent the limit
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NOVEMBER, 1906.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
Vol. XVII.
No. 9
Limnophila aspidoptera Coquillett.
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EVT. NEWS, VOL. XVII.
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PRIOPHORUS ACERICAULIS MACGILLIVRAY.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. XVII.
NOVEMBER, 1906.
No. 9.
CONTENTS:
Britton— The Maple Leaf-Stem Borer
or Sawfly 313
Osborn — The species of Cicada related
to tibicen 321
Slosson — Additional list of insects taken
in alpine region of Mt. Washington 323
Sanderson — Texas Notes — II 327
Knaus— Coleoptera of the Sacramento
Mts. of Xe\v Mexico— III 329
Rehn — A new species of Proscopid
(Acrididae) from the Amazon Re-
gion 332
Bergroth — A new genus of Lygaeidae
from Japan 335
Banks — Two new Termites 336
Moore — Notes on habits of Cicindela.. 338
Grabham — A new Corethrella from Ja-
maica 343
Editorial 346
Notes and News 347
On the formation of an Entomological
Society of America 352
The Maple Leaf-Stem Borer or Sawfly.
Priophorus acericaulis MacGillivray.
A NEW ENEMY OF THE SUGAR MAPLE.
(Plate XIV)
BY W. E. BRITTON.
HISTORY IN CONNECTICUT.
For the past seven years sugar maples in certain localities in
Connecticut have been attacked by some insect which tunnels
in the leaf stem or petiole during the month of May. The mat-
ter was first brought to my attention June 3d, 1899, by the fol-
lowing letter from Mr. W. S. White, of Danbury : "I enclose
some leaf stems from a sugar maple in my front yard. In these
steins is a small worm which, when matured, is about one-half
inch long. . . .At first, about four or five years ago, they were
confined to one tree ; now they have gone to all the surrounding
maples. They seem now to be confined to this one locality.
People about here are considerably disturbed about it, as it
seems now like a serious matter. I can hear of nothing like it
from any other quarter. Destroying the foliage at this time of
the year, will it sooner or later kill the trees, and is there any
way of destroying the worm or insect? Is it found in other
313
314 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., '06
sections, and what is its name? Something should be done, and
done quickly."
The specimens received consisted of injured stems, the in-
sects not being present. Not being familiar with this form of
injury to the maple, the literature of economic entomology
was searched without finding descriptions of the damage or the
insect causing it. This was stated in replying to Mr. White's
letter, and he was requested to send more material, and if pos-
sible to send stems containing living larvae, so that we might
rear the adults. Under date of June I3th Mr. White wrote as
follows :
"At your request I send you more stems and worms in a box
containing soil in which they have buried themselves. They
are now falling from the trees, and they soon disappear in the
ground, where I have reason to believe they remain in a chry-
salis state until another spring, when they come up to do their
destructive work, by laying their eggs in the stem of the young
and tender leaf. . . .If these pests increase as they have done for
two or three years past, the early foliage will be destroyed, and
I am afraid the trees likewise. It certainly is a new thing in
these parts. Perhaps nothing can be done until the habits of
the insect are determined."
The material contained one living larvae in a stem, others in
the stem having been crushed. In the soil there were thirty
larvae, only five of which were alive. The soil was a trifle too
wet, and they had died in transit. The others soon died.
No observations were made in 1900, but early in June, 1901,
I noticed that maple trees along the east side of Whitney Ave-
nue, New Haven, between Sachem and Humphrey Streets,
were attacked by this insect. I made several trips to these
trees, and gathered fallen leaves and stems, the latter contain-
ing a number of larvae. These were placed in a glass dish filled
with sand, which had previously been sterilized by heating. The
larvae at once went into the sand, which was only two inches
deep, and at the bottom made little cells as if to pupate. When
examined, a few days later, all had died without having really
transformed to pupae.
The same year Mr. Thomas G. Bennett, of Prospect Street,
NOV., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 315
reported that his maple trees were being defoliated by some
insect which, from his description of the injury, was probably
the same pest.
During the seasons, of 1902 and 1903 stems were gathered
and placed in breeding cages, but all larvae failed to transform.
In 1904 material was scarce. A few fallen stems were placed
in a box having fine wire netting top and bottom. This was
filled with sterilized soil, the stems laid upon the surface of the
soil, and the box buried level with the ground in a shady spot
in a group of shrubbery. Before planting the cage, one para-
site emerged. When the box was unearthed in 1905 no living
insects came from it.
In 1905 we continued our observations on the Whitney Ave-
nue trees, and it was noticed that the stems falling to the
ground were often found empty or with parasitized borers in
them. Some of the larvae had evidently died before reaching
maturity, as the burrow was abnormally small or only partially
excavated. One stem had a hymenopterous cocoon in the
burrow. Another contained a dipterous larva, feeding upon
the borer. Some of the stems, however, showed the exit holes
where the adults had emerged. It was suggested that all stems
dropping early might be either diseased or parasitized. We
therefore climbed the trees and gathered stems which had not
fallen. In these stems we found larvae that seemed to be vigor-
ous and healthy. Two cages like the one used in 1904, and
measuring 6l/2 x 4 inches inside and 3 inches deep, were buried
in the soil June 2Oth, 1905, immediately after placing the
infested stems in them. The cages were dug up May 3d, 1906,
and contained a number of adult sawflies which had alreadv
emerged from their cocoons, although the leaves of the sugar
maples were but just unfolding.
In 1905, Dr. Francis Bacon, of 32 High Street, New Haven,
reported that some insect was defoliating his trees. My assist-
ant. Air. Walden, examined the trees and found the same insect
at work on them, and a large proportion of the leaves had
fallen and covered the ground.
Under date of May I4th, 1906, in response to a letter of
inquiry from me, Mr. White wrote that the insect was on the
3i6
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov. , '06
increase in Danbury, and that he noticed it last year about
one-half mile distant from the infested tree first noticed.
From letters of May 28th and 3Oth, from Hamden and
Hartford, this insect is apparently causing the leaves to drop
from maple trees in these localities. Mr. C. D. Jarvis, of
Storrs, Conn., informs me that he has observed in Canada an
injury to maples, presumably caused by this insect. I have
observed its work on many of the streets of New Haven, in
Westville, and in Stonington. Mr. Walden reports it from
Southington. Thus it seems to be on the increase in Connecti-
cut, and in a few years will perhaps be generally found attack-
ing the sugar maple.
CHARACTERISTIC INJURY.
The leaves begin to fall late in May or early in June, May
2/th being the earliest date on which I have observed them
falling in noticeable numbers. It is only the blades that fall;
most of these have a piece of stem from one-fourth to one-half
of an inch long, being eaten nearly off at this point. The
remaining portion of the stem or petiole remains upon the tree,
and is not shed until ten days or two weeks later, when it
ripens at the base and falls to the ground. In the worst cases
that have come under our observation about one-third of the
leaves have dropped from the tree, and this is the proportion
mentioned by Mr. White in his letter.
The larva tunnels in the stem, and as it approaches maturity
eats out the entire inside, leaving the cylindrical epidermal
layer. The burrow is packed with the particles of woody ma-
terial which the larva has eaten and voided. This is often
packed so closely that the stem keeps its shape or may be
somewhat swollen on account of it, though it is lacking in
strength. On small maple trees in the insectary, which were
attacked by the adults, collected and reared, the leaf blades
wilted slightly and drooped before breaking off ; but the sever-
ing point could be seen distinctly as a line around the stem
where the larva had eaten it nearly off. Below this line the
stem was fresh; above it both stem and leaf blade wilted and
drooped. In one case the blade did not drop, but still remained
Nov., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 317
on the tree, but out of doors and exposed to the winds all
infested leaves fall. A storm on May 28th, 1906, caused a great
many leaves to fall from the maple trees, and most of them
were cut nearly off by this stem borer.
Either before or after the petioles fall to the ground, the
larvae eat their way out, leaving small circular holes in the
stems, usually near the middle. These holes may be seen in
che accompanying illustrations.
LIFE HISTORY OF THE INSECT.
The eggs are laid by the females about the first week in May,
but it is believed that oviposition may be kept up for some
time. The eggs soon hatch, but it is not known how long a
time is required. The larvae tunnel in the stems for about one
month, causing the leaf blades to fall in about three weeks and
the stems to drop from ten days to two weeks later. On or
v
before the dropping of the stems the larvae go into the ground
and make cells in which they pass the pupa stage. Our cages
were three inches deep, and the pupa cases were found at the
bottom. It is not known whether the pupa stage is assumed
at once or not until the following spring. Adults emerge
about May ist, and soon begin to lay eggs.
The difficulty encountered in rearing the adults of this
species, and their great mortality in the breeding cages, show
the insect to be extremely delicate after passing the larval
stage.
WHERE THE EGGS ARE LAID.
The eggs are laid at the distal end of the stem or base of
the blade, at the point where the chief veins branch from the
stem. The process of egg laying has been observed, and the
scars may be found on many of the leaves. It seems strange
that the egg should be deposited in a portion of the host plant,
which is later severed from the burrow containing the larva.
Nineteen eggs were found in the abdomen of the female ex-
amined.
FOOD PLANTS.
The insect has been observed as attacking the leaf stems of
tlic sugar, Norway and sycamore mnplrs. From time to time
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Nov., '06
we have examined red and silver maples, but have not found
them attacked. The sugar maple is by far the most important
host.
DESCRIPTION.
Egg. — The egg is colorless, more than five times as long as
thick (length 975 />.. or about i mm.; thickness 186 /-'-), falcate
or curved, with ends rather blunt and rounded. One end is
slightly thicker than the other, but the egg is nearly uniform
in thickness, and is shown in Fig. 3.
Larva. — The larva, when full-grown, is about 8 mm. or
one-third of an inch in length and about 1.5 mm. or one-six-
teenth of an inch in thickness. Head dark-yellow or light-
brown, with mandibles black or dark-brown. • Body and legs
uniformly buff or straw-yellow, lighter than the head. Spiracles
dark. See Fig. i.
EGG AND LARVA OF MAPLE LEAF-STEM BORER,
i. Full grown larva. 2. Head of same. 3. Egg. All greatly enlarged.
Pupa. — The pupa case is an earthen cell about 5 mm. long,
and greatly resembling that of the common currant worm.
Adult. — Female ; length from front of head to tip of abdo-
men, 4 mm. Tip of antennae to tip of abdomen, 6 mm. From
tip to tip of forewings, 10 mm.
Head and thorax shining black above. Antennae black.
Abdomen and under side of thorax, including legs, honey-yel-
low. Tip of abdomen dark.
The male is unknown.
NOV., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 3*9
IDENTITY OF THE INSECT.
Previous to May 3d. 1906, I expected that the adult of the
maple leaf stem borer would prove to be either a beetle or a
small moth, — probably a beetle, — and this expectation was
shared by Prof. J. B. Smith, who has evidently observed the
same insect in New Jersey, for he writes:* "A small lot of
leaves sent in at my request showed what was, apparently, a
small coleopterous or beetle larva, boring in the leaf stalk
....From the observations made, it seems that the parent,
which is assumed to be a curculio or snout beetle, gnaws into
the stalks of the most vigorous leaves at a little beyond the
middle, and there lays an egg."
That it might.be a small moth or lepidoperous larva I was
led to believe, not only from its structure, but on account of the
fact that many of the microlepidoptera are leaf miners, and
that two of them. Pro te of eras acscitlana Riley and Steganop-
tycha clavpoliana Riley, are borers in the stems of the com-
pound leaves of the horse chestnut, the latter having been
recorded as attacking the maple by Dr. J. A. Lintner.t
The large number of sawflies obtained soon removed any
doubts as to the insect causing the injury, and observations
of egg-laying have confirmed the proof.
Specimens were sent to Dr. Alexander D. MacGillivray, of
Cornell University, who reported it as a new species belonging
to the genus Priophorus. Dr. MacGillivray has recently de-
scribed this species under the name of P. acericaitlis.t
LITERATURE.
This insect seems to have attracted little attention, and very
little has been written about it. At a meeting of the New York-
Entomological Society, June 4th, 1895, Rev. J. L. Zabriskie
stated that the stems of maple leaves at Flatbush, Long Island,
were injured by some insect which caused them to fall.$ The
species was not identified, and may have been our Priophorus,
*Report New Jersey Agr. Expt. Station for 1901, p. 481.
fTwelfth Report New York State Entomologist, 1896, p. 214.
^Canadian Entomologist, Vol. 38. p. 305. 1906.
^Journal N. Y. Entomological Society, Vol. TTI, p. 144.
320 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., '06
but Dr. Lintner considered it to be the work of Steganoptycha
claypoliana, which he reported as attacking maples in Penn-
sylvania, from specimens sent to The Country Gentleman in
1895. * From the account of the correspondent I should pro-
nounce the injury that of the maple leaf stem borer or sawfly,
but if Dr. Lintner really obtained the adult and found it a
moth, the report must be accepted as authentic.
In corresponding about the matter, Dr. E. P. Felt states
that he finds no records or specimens in the New York State
Museum, which indicate that adults were actually reared from
the leaves by Dr. Lintner.
It is quite certain that Prof. J. B. Smith observed the same
insect in New Jersey in 1901, t or two years after it was first
noticed in Connecticut, but had not been able to obtain the
adults in I9O3.§
PARASITES.
It has been mentioned that parasites were reared from this
sawfly. Several specimens of Anoplius canadensis Ashm. were
obtained from the breeding cages. At first these were thought
to be parasitic upon the sawfly, but as the insects of this genus
parasitize diptera only, so far as is known, they may have
attacked a dipterous parasite of the Prior p horus. A dipterous
larva was noticed, and doubtless many more occurred in the
material. A chalcidid parasite resembling Pteromalus was
reared from the breeding cages, one specimen only being ob-
tained.
REMEDIES.
No experiments have been made with remedies against this
insect, but a knowledge of its life history enables one to sug-
gest a possible treatment. Spraying the ground under the
tree with kerosene emulsion about June I5th, when the insects
are going into the soil, will doubtless destroy the larvae ; or if
the land be not in turf, cultivation of the ground at this time
is certain to kill many of them. As the insect is so hard to rear,
there should be no difficulty in controlling it.
fTwelfth Report N. Y. State Entomologist, p. 214.
^Report N. J. Agr. Expt. Station for IQOI, p. 481.
§Report N. J. Agr. Exp. Station for 1903, p. 557.
NOV., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 321
I here wish to give due credit to my assistant, Mr. B. H.
Walden, who has assisted in gathering material and in caring
for the breeding cages. The photographs Nos. I, 2 and 3 of
the plate were also made by Mr. Walden.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XIV.
1. Longitudinal section of maple leaf stem, showing larva in burrow,
and empty burrow partly filled with castings. Greatly enlarged.
2. Priophorus acericaulis MacGillivray. Adult female. About three
times natural size.
3. Leaf stem showing exit hole of larva.
4. Stems which have dropped from the tree.
5. Leaves with stems severed by the borer.
The Species of Cicada related to tibicen.
BY HERBERT OSBORN.
The September number of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS contains
an interesting article by Messrs. Davis and Joutel on Cicada
tibicen and allied forms, and I can cordially agree with the
authors in their conclusion regarding the separation of the
three forms and also agree that they are probably correct in
placing the names as they do, though it is a difficult matter to
determine just what Say had in hand for the description of
prninosa. The authors, however, seem to have overlooked two
papers in which the separation of these species has been defi-
nitely indicated. The first article is by Professor P. R. Uhler,
in the Maryland Academy of Science, Volume "i," page 151,
where canicnlaris Harris is definitely separated from tibicen,
but in which prninosa is still retained as a synonym of tibicen.
The other paper is by Professor H. Carman, in bulletin 107.
Kentucky Experiment Station, entitled "17- Year Locusts in
Kentucky," and in which he includes reference to tibicen, page
89, and prninosa, page 97, definitely separating these forms
and giving full details of characters by which to differentiate
them. Fie also gives photographic figures illustrating both
species. Both of these papers it must be admitted are rather
inaccessible and easily overlooked, but the former is n-fem'd
to ami closrlv followed in I'rof. MaeGillivrav's artirlr on
322 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., '06
"Cicaclidse-American genera and species," Canadian Entomo-
logist, volume 33, page 74 (1901).
I have had these forms separated in my collection for several
years and have representatives of the species from several dif-
ferent localities, tihiccii having a somewhat wider range, but
examples of canicnlaris from Ohio and of prninosa from Ohio
and District of Columbia.
In this connection I may call attention to another form which
is closely related to tibicen, and may very likely have been con-
fused with it, although it seems to be of rather rare occurrence.
The only specimens of which I know are from Ohio and
Indiana, and what is probably the male, from Florida. I have
described it in a forthcoming paper on the Homoptera of
Ohio, but the following diagnosis may be presented in this
connection :
Cicada tulvula n. sp.
Size and form of tibicen and closely resembles that species,
but the coloration of thorax is different, the light part being
fulvous and the hind border of prothorax black. Length of
female, 32 mm. : to tip of wing, 51 mm. Male, 32 mm. : to tip
of wing, 50 mm.
Head black with narrow tawny stripe on middle of vertex. Front
black proboscis fulvous ; prothorax black and greenish fulvous, the
fulvous occupying a central patch in discal portions of each side. The
broad hind border and narrower lateral border black. Mesothorax
fulvous and black, the black occupying the central area and irregular
lines at margin. The elytra transparent, faintly smoky, veins at base
green, on apical portion black. Abdomen black above, with narrow
pruinose line at base. Beneath with broad central polished black stripe
and at each side is a broad lateral pruinose border. Legs greenish or
olivaceous fulvous. The last ventral segment of female is broadly "V"
shaped.
In what appears to be the male of this species the opercula are of very
different shape from those of tibicen or prninosa, being rounded or
elliptical posteriorly and with a distinct reflexed border, highly polished,
length, 9 mm., width, 6mm., distinctly overlapping on inner margin.
MR. J. A. G. REHN, the well-known orthopterest, was married to Miss
Dorothy D. Holmanof West Creek, N. J., on October 24th.
Nov., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
323
Additional List of Insects Taken in Alpine Region
of Mt. Washington.
BY ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON.
In 1894 I printed my first list of this series. Since that
time I have published eight additional lists, nine in all, and
herewith append my tenth. This one includes the insects
taken by me during summers of 1905 and 1906 and contains
about 200 species, many of them new to science, as are also
two or three genera. As usual I have depended much upon
specialists in the different groups for identifications and have
received very kind and cheerfully-given assistance from all.
LEPIDOPTERA.
HETEROCERA.
Catocala unijuga Walk.
Olethreutes coruscana Clem.
fuscalbana Zell.
Epinotia pinicolana Zell.
Alceris hastiana Linn.
Tortrix argentana Clerck.
Platynota sentana Clem.
Phalonia vitellinana Zell.
Gelechia vernella ]\furff.
Mompha ? sp ?
Micropteryx griseocostella ? Wahm.
HYMENOPTERA.
BOMBID/E.
Bombus vagus Stu.
PROSOPIDID^.
Prosopis affinis Sin.
EUMENID.K.
Ancistrocerus tigris Sauss.
Psilomma slossonae Ashm. n. sp.
DIAPRIID 1
Trichopria alticola Ashm. n. sp.
SCALIONID^:.
Hoplogryon vvashingtonensis
Ashm. n. sp.
PLAT YGASTER IDyE.
Polymecus slossonae Ashm. n. sp.
FIGITIDYE.
Aegilips monticola Ashm. n. sp.
Anacharis slossome Ashm. s. np.
TORYMID.-K.
Syntomospis politse Ashm. n. sp.
Torymus bedeguaris Linn.
MISCOGASTERIIXE.
Lamprotatus monticola^^w. n.sp.
CLEONYMID/E.
Mesostenus monticola Ashm. n. sp.
ENCYRT1D.K.
Cerchysius maculipennis Ashm.
Blastothrix sericeus Dalm.
Encyrtid gen. ? sp.
PTEROMALID 1
Asaphes vulgaris Walk.
EULOPH1D.K.
Aphelinus bicolor Ashm. n. -p.
Sympiesis sp. ?
324
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Nov., '06
ICHNEUMONID.E.
Ichneumon jucundus Brulle.
Melophron abdominalis As/im.
n. sp.
Bathymetis slossonae Ashm. n. sp.
Bathymetis washingtonensis Ashm.
Adiostola testaceipes Ashm. n. sp.
Ichyracis americana Ashtn. n. sp.
Stiboscopus washingtonensis
Ashm. n. sp.
Pimpline n. gen. et n. sp.
Ephialteas sp. ?
Ephialtomorpha slossonse Ashm.
n. gen. et n. sp.
Eriglcea longitarsis Ashm. n. sp.
Promethes albicoxis Ashm. n. sp.
Triclastus pygmaeus Cr.
Amerolytus flavifrons Ashm,
Orthocentrus canadensis Ptov.
Hypolepus alticola Ashm.
Deleter washingtonensis Ashm.
n. sp.
Phoenosemus alticola Ashm. n. sp.
Atmetus pectoralis Ashm. n. sp.
Zaporus alticola Ashm. n. sp.
Barycnemis slossonae Ashm. n. sp.
ALYSIID^.
Mesocrina sp.
BRACONID.*:.
Aphidius phorodontis Ashm.
Lysiphlebus slossonae Ashm. n. sp.
Macrocentrus rufopleuralis Ashm.
n. sp.
Urogaster carnasise Ashm.
Glyptapanteles alticola Ashm. n.sp.
Habrobracon pampeliae Ashm.
FORMICID^E.
Camponotus herculeanus ligniper-
dus La.tr. var. pictus Fore!.
Formica sanguinea aserva Forel.
Formica fusca subpolita var. neoga-
gates Emery.
Lasius niger Linn, var. americanus
Emery.
Lasius umbratus mixtus Nyl. var.
aphidicola Walsh.
Dolichoderus taschenbergi var.
gagates llTieeler.
Leptothorax acerverum canadensis
Prov.
Leptothorax emersoni Wheeler.
Myrmica rubra scabrinodis Nyl.
Myrmica rubra scabrinodis Nyl.,
var. schenki Me in.
COLEOPTERA.
CARABID.t.
Cychrus lecontei Dej.
Amara polita Lee.
si milis Kirby.
Bembidium nitidum Kirby.
Bradycellus rupestris Say.
DYTISCID.K.
Agabus obtusatus Say.
Copelatus glyphicus Say.
HYDROPHILID.E.
Laccobius agilis Rand.
SILPHID^E.
Anistoma collaris Lee.
strigata ?
STAPHYLINID^E.
Aleochara fuscipes Grav.
Tachinus repandus Horn.
Philonthus quadricollis Horn.
?
Syntomium confragosum l\Iakl.
Arpedium sp.
Micropeplus tesserula Curt.
COCCINELLID.K.
Mysia pullata Say.
CUCUJID.l..
Laemophlacus convexulus Lee.
Nov., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
325
CRYPTOPHAGID.K.
Coenoscelis sp.
(( »
it it
Crosfmus hirtus Casey.
Cryptophagus sp.
MYCETOPHAGID^E.
Litargus 6-punctatus Say.
Typhoea fumata Linn.
DERMESTID^:.
Trogoderma tarsale Me/s/i.
Dermestes vulpinus Fab.
NITIDULID^E.
Stelidota geminata Say.
Rhizophagus brunneus Horn.
LATRIDIID^E.
Corticaria ferruginea Gyll.
Latridius breviclavus Fall.
PARNID/E.
Dryops striatus Lee.
DASCYLLID^.
Ptilodactyla serricollis Say.
ELATERID^E.
Corymbites metal licus Payk.
LAMPYRID.*:.
Podabrus piniphilus Esch.
Telephorus fraxini Say.
Malthodes niger Lee.
Ditemnus bidentatus Say.
PTINID.E.
Ccenocara sp.
Dinoderus substriatus Payk.
SCARAB/EID.K.
Odontaeus cornigerus A/e/s/i.
CERAMBYCID/K.
Leptura nigrella Say.
CHRYSOMEUD.K.
Donacia aequalis Say.
Phyllotreta vittata Fab.
Diabrotica 12-punctata Oliv.
Haltica torquata Lee.
TENEBRIONIIX-K.
Xylopinus saperdioides Olir.
MELANDRYIDyE.
Serropalpus striatus Hel~>.'.
CEPHALOID/E.
Cephaloon ungulare Lee.
MORDELLID^E.
Mordella borealis Lee.
ANTHICID.E.
Anthicus floralis Linn.
MELOID/E.
Epicauta pennsylvanica DeC.
RHINOMACERID^.
Rhinomacer elongatus Lee.
CURCULIONID^.
Phytonomus nigrirostris Fab.
Hylobius pales Hbst.
Dorytomus brevicollis Lee.
Elleschus scanicus Payk.
Centrinus denticornis Casey.
SCOLYTID,]-:.
Pityophthorus sparsus /.(•<-.
Xyleborus c^clatus Eich.
Hylesinus aculeatus Say.
DIPTERA.
Bibio longipes Loew.
Culex sylvestris Theo.
Chasmatonotus bimaculatus O. S.
Ceratopogon specularis Coq.
Camptocladius minimus J\Ieig.
Tipula serta Locw.
326
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Nov., '06
Psychoda slossoni Will.
Hemerodromia superstitiosa Say.
Leticostola slossonae /£>//«. n. sp.
Dolichopus acuminatus Loew.
Pelastoneura vagans Loew.
Sympycnus lineatus Loew.
Chrysotus sp. ?
Hydrophorus parvus Loew.
pirata Loew.
Lonchoptera lacustris Meig.
Syrphus ribesii Linn.
Helophilus glacialis Loew.
Neoascia distincta Will.
Caricea antica Walk.
Ccenosia nana Zett.
n. sp. ?
Cordylura lutea Loew.
Tephronota narytia Walk.
Urellia Solaris Loew.
Sapromyza 4-lineata Loew.
Psilupa similis Coq.
Hydrellia hypoleuca Loew.
Hydrina picta Fall.
" debilis Loew.
Drosophila imersa Walk.
Scaptomyza adusta Loew.
Siphonella cinerea Loew.
Chlorops sp. ?
Oscinis carbonaria Loew.
Agromyza longipennis Loew.
HEMIPTERA
HETEROPTERA.
Euschistus variolaris P. B.
tristigmus Say .
fissihs Uhl.
Belonichilus numenius Say.
Geocoris griscus Dall.
Crophius n. sp.
Pamera n. sp.
Ptochiomera n. sp
Ligyrocoris constrictus Say.
Trapezonatus rutipes Stal.
Trapezonatus n. sp.
Spragisticus nebulosus Fall.
Drymus (Megalonotus) n. sp.
Rhyparochromus compactus Uhl.
Lygus n. sp.
Lygus belfragii Rent.
Camptobrochis n. sp.
Pycnoderus insignis Rent.
Neoborus n. sp. ?
Capsid n. gen. n. sp.
Ilnacora n. sp.
Mecomma sp. ?
Dicyphus californicus Stal.
vestitus Uhl.
Plagiognathus sp. ?
Capsid n. gen. n. sp.
Tetraphelps n sp.
Xylocoris americanus Dall.
HOMOPTERA.
Cyrtolobus vau Say.
Alymna castanea Fitch.
querci Fitch.
Ophiderma flavoguttata Gvdg.
Telaniona monticola Fab.
Liburnia pellucida Fab.
lutulenta V. D.
sp. ?
n. sp. ?
Stenocranus dorsalis Fitch.
Helicoptera sp.
Philaenus spumarius pustulatus
Fall.
Clastoptera obtusa Say.
Idiocerus productus G. & B.
formosus Ball.
suturalis var. vagus Ball.
Acocephalus albifrons Linn.
Deltocephalus minki Fieb.
Platymetopius acutus Say.
Strongylocephalus agrestis Fall.
Chlorotettix lusoria O. & B.
Typhlocyba nitidula Fab.
NEUROPTERA.
Aeschna juncea Linn.
Psocus confraternus Bks.
" moestus Hag.
Mesopsocus unipunctatus Muell.
Peripsocus madidus Hag.
Hemerobius humili Linn.
Boriomyia longifrons Walk.
Limnephilus dispectus Walk.
Heteroplectron boreale Prov.
ARACHNIDA.
Erigone dentigera Cambr.
Thanatus n. sp.
Nov., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 327
Texas Notes. — II.
BY E. DWIGHT SANDERSON.
The English Grain Louse.
Macrosiphum granaria Buckton.
This species was found common in the grain fields of north
and central Texas. The species was first sent us from North
Texas, January 20, 1903, where it had been mistaken for the
southern grain louse (Toxoptera graminum), other specimens
were similarly received during February and March.
Colonies were started in tubes in the laboratory January
21, 1903, and progeny from them were maintained until about
May ist. Conditions were hardly favorable for the maximum
reproduction in the tubes, but ten females whose record was
kept produced an average of 31 young each in 17.4 days, or an
average of 1.7 each per day. All of these females were
winged but two, whose rate averaged 2.2 young per day. The
time required for the development of the individual was ob-
served in fifteen cases and was found to average 12 days,
ranging from 8 to 17 days.
Young born January 20, matured and reproduced February
3, which reproduced February II, which young reproduced
March 2, which became mature March 17 and bore young of
record March 31, which became mature and reproduced young
April 15, which became adult April 26. Thus, there were six
generations in 96 days, the young of one generation not having
been isolated until 15 days after reproduction commenced, so
that the minimum time for the six generations would have been
about 80 days.
Of the young born March 31, part developed into the
winged males and apterous oviparous females, while others
became viviparous females, which gave birth to young which
became sexual. The young stages of the sexual individuals
were noticeably pinkish in contrast to the usual yellowish-
green. The sexes differ from the viviparous form in the usual
manner.
Apterous oviparous fema/e.
One specimen, 1.9 mm. long by I mm. wide; antennae 2 mm., seg-
ments, 3, 0.50 mm.; 4, 0.35 mm.; 5, 0.30 mm.; 6, o. 10 mm.; 7, 0.50 mm.;
328 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., '06
cornicle, 0.43 mm. ; cauda, 0.21 mm. Somewhat smaller than viviparous
form. At first yellow, then turning green and darker green. Head light
brown. Distal two-thirds of femora, tip of tibia, tarsi and cornicles
black, antennae black. Conspicuous horizontal black marking in pit of
connexivum on either side, these being more or less connected by black
lines on the sutures of the first six abdominal segments and coalescing
to form a faint but distinct black spot on abdominal segments 4-6.
Meta-tibia with numerous pores.
Winged male. — Antennae, 2.8 mm. ; segments, 3, 0.68 mm. ; 4, 0.50
mm.; 5, 0.46 mm.; 6, 0.14 mm.; 7, 0.78 mm.; cornicle, 0,14 mm.; cauda,
0.14 mm.; wing 3.35 mm. long. The third antennal segment with 35 to
50 sensoria, the fourth segment with a row of 10 to 12 on basal two-
thirds, about 10 large sensoria on distal two-thirds of fifth segment, and
usual large sensoria at tip of sixth and seventh segments. Similar to
winged viviparous female, but reddish to reddish-brown, with black
markings on either side of dorso-meson of abdominal segments,
especially on the seventh segment where the marking converges on
the meson.
The sexual forms were not found in the field nor were we
able to secure them from viviparous females in May. Whether
this is the normal time for the appearance of the sexes in
Texas, and where they occur in nature, or whether their ap-
pearance was due to the rearing- in confinement for several
generations, are open questions. We know of no previous
record of the sexes, though Prof. F. M. Webster informs
us that he secured them many years ago.
Mr. Th. Pergande has given very complete descriptions of
the viviparous forms (Bulletin 44, Division of Entomology,
U. S. Dept. Agr., pg. 14). Mr. C. E. Sanborn has kindly
drawn up a description of the form common in Texas. Seem-
ingly the only difference between this species and Macrosiphnm
cerealis Kalt. is in the latter species lacking the black markings
of the abdomen of the former. The sizes as given by Pergande
are so variable that it would be impossible to distinguish the
species by size. Unfortunately, when specimens are mounted in
balsam, it is sometimes extremely difficult to distinguish the
black maculations on the abdomen. Specimens should there-
fore always be described as to color before mounting or pre-
serving. Some further distinction for mounted specimens is
therefore a desideratum, as unfortunately the two species have
been inextricably confused in the economic literature of this
country and will probably continue to be unless clearly dis-
tinguished.
NOV., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 329
Coleoptera of the Sacramento Mountains of New
Mexico. — III.
BY W. KNAUS, McPherson, Kansas.
[line 12 to 1 8, 1905, were spent in collecting Coleoptera at or
near Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Of this time a part of a day
was spent at Alamogordo, at the foot of the Sacramento
Mountains, and one day at Santa Rosa, at the crossing of the
Pecos River. I had collected over the same region in 1902 ; and
at the same season, but of the seventy species here listed, at
least sixty-five of them did not occur or were not seen at the
time covered by these dates.
Of the species here listed, seventeen are new to New Mexico.
Fourteen are new to southern New Mexico, five genera are new
to the territory and one family is also new to the territory.
Most of the species have been identified by Mr. H. C. Fall,
of Pasadena, Cal., to whom thanks are due. The localities for
species other than Cloudcroft, Wootens, Alamogordo, Conant
and Santa Rosa should be credited to the "Coleoptera of New
Mexico," unpublished, by Messrs. H. C. Fall and T. D. A.
Cockerell, the latter gentleman having kindly given the
localities.
1 20 Cicindela nigrocaerulea Lee. On flats east of Alamogordo,
along streams from overflow of irrigation ditch. In
numbers, varying from the typical blue-black through
various shades of green to black. Also known from
Deming and Luna.
2 38 Cicindela fiavo pun data Clievr. One specimen, same local it \
as above. New to New Mexico.
3 39 Cicindela tcnuisignata Lee. Common, same locality as above.
Also from Mesilla Park.
4 Dyschiriits sp. One specimen, Cloudcroft.
5 936 Pinacodcra punctigera Lee. One specimen, Cloudcroft, also
from the Organ Mountains,
d Tachyccllus tiirbatns Fall. Common in canons surrounding
Cloudcroft.
7 1221 Halyplus triopsis Say. One specimen, Wootens, previously
recorded from Albuquerque.
S i_>()7 ('iii-liiiiihiis niibilis Lee. ( >m- ^ptrinirii. Fri^nal Creek, also
from Mesilla Valley.
330 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., '06
9 1613 Bcrosus infuscatus Lee. One specimen, Alamogordo, also
recorded from Roswell.
10 Homalota sp. One specimen, Cloudcroft.
11 — Staphylinus modcstus Fall. One specimen, Fresnal Canon
near Cloudcroft.
12 2170 Philonthus flavolinibatus Erichson. One specimen, Cloud-
croft. Recorded from numerous other localities.
13 2182 Philonthus alumnus Er. One female specimen, Cloud-
croft. Also from Mesilla Park and Thornton.
14 9858 Baeocera texana Csy. Two specimens, Cloudcroft. New to
New Mexico.
15 Neomedon sp. Not described from United States. One
specimen, Cloudcroft. Genus new to New Mexico.
16 Siagonum sp. One specimen, Santa Rosa.
17 2980 Scaphisoma castaneum Mots. Two specimens, Cloudcroft.
New to New Mexico.
18 9873 Phalacrus sayi Csy. One specimen, Wootens. New to south-
ern New Mexico.
19 Eustilbits sp. One specimen, Wootens.
20 3160 Scyninus coniferarium Cr. One specimen on young pine
shoot, Cloudcroft. New to southern New Mexico.
21 3173 Epilachna corrupta Muls. Common, damaging potato vines
and beans, near Wootens.
22 Agathengis sp. One specimen, Wootens.
23 3466 Hister subopacus Lee. One soecimen under pine bark,
Cloudcroft. New to New Mexico.
24 3497 Hister militaris Horn. Three specimens. Santa Rosa and
Alamogordo. New to southern New Mexico.
25 3637 Plegederus nitidus var. Horn. Common in channels of
Scolytus under pine bark, Cloudcroft. New to New
Mexico.
26 3699 Epurae ambigua Mann. One specimen at Cloudcroft. New
to New Mexico.
27 3760 Ips cylindricus Lee. A broken specimen, Cloudcroft. New to
New Mexico.
28 3833 Trogosita virescens Feb. One specimen, Wootens. New to
southern New Mexico.
29 3848 Pcltis pippingskoeldi Mann. One specimen, Cloudcroft. New
to southern New Mexico.
30 3849 Peltis ferrnginca Linn. Two specimens, Cloudcroft. New
to New Mexico.
31 Melanotes sp. One specimen, Cloudcroft.
32 4641 ChrysobotJirus cuprascens Lee. One specimen, Cloudcroft.
New to southern New Mexico.
33 Agrilus sp. One specimen, Wootens.
Nov., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
331
34 4943 Telephorus ruficollis Lee. Four specimens, Cloudcroft and
Wootens. New to southern New Mexico.
35 Coelestethus alternatus Fall. Two specimens, Cloudcroft.
Recorded from Wootens.
36 5430 Canthon puncticollis Lee. Two specimens, male and female,
Alamogordo. Also from Deming and other points.
37 5458 Onthophagus hecate Panz. Alamogordo and Fresnal Canon.
Also from Rio Ruidoso and other points.
37 5481 Rhyssemus californicus Horn. One specimen, Santa Rosa.
New to New Mexico.
39 5533 Aphodins Hindus Oliv. Common at Santa Rosa, occasion-
ally found at Alamogordo and Wootens. Other records
are Albuauerque and Thornton.
40 Aphodins n. sp. near crassulus Horn. Common, Cloud-
croft to Wootens.
41 10203 Aphodius pumilus Horn. Common at Alamogordo, also
from Astex and Santa Fe.
42 — Dichelonycha n. sp. Occurs on scrub oak, young pines, wild
roses and willows from Cloudcroft summit 9,200 feet
down to Wootens 7,000 feet. New to New Mexico.
43 6240 Toxotus trivittatus var. Say. On scrub oak, Cloudcroft.
New to New Mexico.
44 6273 Acmaeops proteus Kirby, var. Two specimens, Cloudcroft.
New to southern New Mexico.
45 6332 Leptura canadensis Fab. var. One elytron under bark. Cloud-
croft.
46 6655 Pachybrachys rnorosus Hald. Cloudcroft. New to south-
ern New Mexico.
47 Pachybrachys morosus Hald. var. Cloudcroft.
48 Pachybrachys sp. near lustrans Lee. Cloudcroft.
49 6720 Xanthonia lo-notata Say. On pines, Cloudcroft. New to
southern New Mexico.
50 10370 Colas poidca viridimicans Horn. Several specimens at Conant.
51 6915 Monoxia puncticollis Say.' Four specimens, Santa Rosa,
reported from Roswell and other points.
57 6918 Monoxm sordida Say. One specimen, Wootens. Also
Mesilla Valley.
53 Monoxia new sp. On heads of young balsam fir, Cloudcroft.
54 6962 Haltica carinata Germ. Wootens. New to southern New
Mexico.
55 7046 Chae to enema subviridis Lee. Several specimens, Santa Rosa.
Also near Silver City.
56 Araeoschizus sp. possibly fimbrattts Csy. One specimen,
Santa Rosa.
57 Embaphion n. sp. Several specimens under pine bark and
chips, Cloudcroft. New to New Mexico.
332 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov. , '06
58 Conibius n. sp. One specimen, Santa Rosa, Genus new to
New Mexico.
59 75:9 Platydema oregonensis Lee. One specimen, Cloudcroft. New
to southern New Mexico.
60 7704 Mycterus concolor Lee. Several specimens, Wootens. New
to southern New Mexico.
61 7707 Lecontia- discicollis Lee. var. One specimen under pine bark,
Cloudcroft. New to southern New Mexico.
62 7717 Salpingus virescens Lee. One specimen, Wootens. New to
southern New Mexico.
63 Epicauta n. sp. Four specimens, Wootens.
64 8198 Rhinomacer comptus Lee. One specimen, Cloudcroft. Fam-
ily, genus and species new to New Mexico.
65 8342 Sitones linecllus Gyll. One specimen, Cloudcroft. New to
New Mexico.
66 Apion disparipes Fall. One female specimen, Wootens. Also
from Las Cruces.
67 Macrops sp. One specimen, Santa Rosa.
68 10923 Smicronyx sprctits Dietz. One specimen, Wootens. New to
New Mexico.
69 Sphenophorus sp. One specimen, Santa Rosa.
70 9224 Brachytarsus grisens Lee. One specimen, Wootens. Genus
and species new to New Mexico.
A New Species of Proscopid (Acrididae) from the
Amazon Region.
BY JAMES A. G. REHN.
Taxiarclms paraensis n. sp.
Types: — $ and $ ; Obidos, State of Para, Amazonian
Brazil. A. N. S. Philadelphia.
Allied to T. superb us Brunner from Upper Amazonia, but
differing in the slenderer body, the very much longer and
slenderer pronotum, the absence of distinct denticles on the
mesopleura, which are somewhat constricted cephalad, and in
the more subequal rostrum. From T. scptcntrionalis Bruner,*
from Costa Rica, it differs in the slightly smaller general size
and the much shorter limbs of the female, while the male has
the pronotum longer than in the Costa Rican species, and the
number of spines on the external margins of the caudal tibue
is at least four less than in septentrionalis.
*Ent. News, xvi, p. 314.
Nov., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
333
m
u :-
m
Taxiarchus partensis n. sp. — Lateral view of head of male ; dorsal view
of female pronotum, and dorsal view of male. (X i}4.)
334 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., '06
Size rather large ; cephalic and thoracic regions thickly but bluntly
tuberculate. Head greatly prolonged, particularly in the male, the por-
tion . immediately caudad of the eyes strongly and roundly constricted
in the male; the length considerably more than half the length of the
prothorax in the female, very slightly more in the male; vertex in I he
male a quadrate peg-like process, shorter than the length of the eye.
slightly tapering and with the apex truncate, in the female quadrate
with the angles more acute, equal to the length of the eye, hardly taper-
ing, the apex bluntly rounded ; antennae very short, about twice the
length of the rostrum in the male, very slightly longer in the female:
eyes very prominent in the male, ovate in outline when viewed laterad.
approaching closer cephalid than caudad, in the female moderately promi-
nent. Prothorax elongate, the greatest width (inter-coxal) contained
nearly nine times in the length in the male and about five and a half
times in the female, cylindrical in the male, somewhat depressed in the
female ; cephalic margin subtruncate mesad. slightly expanded laterad ;
caudal margin sinuato-truncate, very slightly expanded in the male and
not appreciably so in the female; no median carina present in the male, a
very blunt and low one present in the female, weak mesad ; prosternum
separated from the pronotum by a distinct sulcus. rounded in the male,
tectate in the female with the central ridge bearing a slight shallow
median sulcus; coxae shielded cephalad bv a rounded projecting plate,
more prominent in the female than in the male. Mesothorax consider-
ably depressed, the pronotal carina continued caudad on the mesonotum
in the female; mesopleura tuberculate. not spined. Metathorax about
equal to the mesothorax in width, somewhat depressed caudad in the
female. Abdomen very considerably longer than the head and thorax,
cylindrical in the male, with a median carina in the female; supra-anal
plate of the male half ovate, cerci very short. Cephalic femora about
half the length of the pronotum in both sexes, very slightly enlarged
distad, tibias about equal to the femora in length. Median femora and
tibiae about equal in size and form to the cephalic in the female but
more robust, in the male distinctly shorter than the cephalic. Caudal
femora about equal to the prothorax and mesothorax in length, very
slightly longer than the same segments in the female, slightly inflated
in the proximal half, dorsal margin of the genicular region with a spine
on each side ; caudal tibia? very slightly longer than the femora, sub-
quadrate in section, slightly but distinctly arcuate, the outer dorsal
margins with thirteen to sixteen spines, the inner dorsal margins with
six to nine spines.
General color olivaceous brown, mixed with tawny-olive, particularly
in the male and on the pronotum in the female. Eyes clove-brown in
the male, of the general color in the female.
MEASUREMENTS. <$ $
Length of body 84.5 mm. 129.5 mm.
Length of head (dorsal) 10 mm. 16.5 mm.
Length of vertex 1.8 mm. 4. mm.
Length of prothorax 24.5 mm. 31. mm.
Length of meso and metathorax.... 6.5mm. n. nun.
Length of caudal femur 27. mm. 39. mm.
Length of caudal tibia 27.5 mm. 41.5 mm.
The typical pair are the only specimens available for exam-
ination.
Nov., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 335
A new genus of Lygaeidae from Japan.
BY DR. E. BERGROTH, DULUTH, MINN.
Togo n. gen.
Body elongate. Head exserted, nearly as broad as long and
broader than apex of pronotum, narrowing behind the eyes,
postocular lateral margins as long as the eyes, which are of
moderate size, a little prominent, obliquely oval seen in pro-
file, ocelli twice as far separated from each other as from
the eyes, tylus somewhat produced beyond the juga, the throat
a little longitudinally convex, first antennal joint passing the
apex of the head by half its length, first joint of rostrum not
reaching the posterior margins of the eyes, second joint as long
as first, passing the apex of the prosternum by about half its
length (remaining joints not clearly seen, owing to specimen
being carded). Pronotum constricted far behind the middle,
anterior lobe nearly four times as long as posterior lobe, its
sides broadly convex, rounded, almost imperceptibly carinated,
collar distinct with a transverse row of punctures, posterior
lobe with basal margin almost straight, lateral angles rounded,
not prominent. Scutellum about as long as broad. Metaster-
num with acutely produced posterior angles. Hemelytra ab-
breviated, reaching a little beyond the middle of the penulti-
mate abdominal segment, clavus with three rows of punctures,
the external row straight and regular, the two inner rows
somewhat irregular and confused, claval suture more than
twice as long as the straight apical margin of the corium, claval
commissure nearly as long as the scutellum, membrane very
short, appearing as a rounded border to the apical margin of
the cordium. Abdomen a trifle narrower than the hemelytra,
the last dorsal segment in the male rounded at apex and pass-
ing the apex of the connexivum. Anterior femora strongly
incrassated with some larger and smaller spines on the under-
side from the apex to not far from the base ; anterior tibiae a
little shorter than the femora, strongly curved towards the
base, in the male with a strong tooth just behind the middle.
First joint of posterior tarsi not quite twice as long as the
two apical joints together.
Allied to the Indian genus Fontejanus Bredd. and very simi-
lar to it in fades. Tn both these genera the anterior lobe of the
pronotnm is so considerably elongated that the forelegs are
inserted but little before the middle of the body. The new
genus is, however, easily distinguished from Fontejanus by the
exserted head, the less separated ocelli, the much shorter basal
joint of tire rostrum, the longer hemelvtra (these particularly
having the claval suture and commissure much longer) and t''r
unarmed middle femora. The anterior male til>i;e, tori, are
336 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., '06
toothed much nearer to the middle and the basal joint of the
hind tarsi is shorter.
Togo victor n. sp.
Dull black, antennae, first and second joint of rostrum, apical margin
of prothorax (narrowly) and lateral margins of abdomen tawny, first
antennal joint towards the base and extreme apex of second joint
fuscous, apex of third joint and the whole fourth joint blackish, basal
border of pronotum, corium, clavus. extreme apex of scutellum, aceta-
bular margins (obscurely) and posterior angles of metasternum whit-
ish, some small spots to hemelytra fuscous, apical margin of corium
fuscous, more broadly so towards the apical angle, legs pale yellow,
anterior femora (except base and extreme apex) and apical halves of
middle and posterior femora black, extreme apex of tibiae and the
whole last joint of tarsi fuscous. Head very thickly and finely
punctured, second antennal joint more than twice as long as first, third
joint somewhat shorter than second, fourth about as long as second.
Pronotum not fully twice as long as the head, a little broader at the
base than half the length, finely punctured but less thickly so than the
head, anterior lobe moderately convex with its greatest width a little
behind the middle, where it is distinctly broader than the head, posterior
lobe slightly narrower than the anterior lobe. The breast finely moder-
ately thickly punctured. Hemelytra one fourth longer than the pro-
notum, corium rather finely and thinly punctured with brown, lateral
border impunctate, membrane blackish. Abdomen clothed with very
fine and short yellowish sericeous pubescence. Length, £ 6.5 mm.
Japan (Tokyo) ; found by Mr. Kuwana. — Col. C. F. Baker.
Two new Termites.
BY NATHAN BANKS.
There has recently been a great awakening- in the collection
and study of termites. Our forms are not numerous, so that
there is not the stimulating prize of new species to quicken the
student, yet we have some very interesting genera. Among
them is Termopsis, a new species of which I describe from
Arizona, and a most curious form from Florida. So striking
is the soldier of this species that I do not hesitate to consider it
a new genus. These two new species, together with two
recently described by Desneux, make about twelve species of
termites from our country.
CRYPTOTERMES n. gen.
No ocelli in any stage ; no plantula to tarsi ; only costal vena-
tion to wings distinct, this consisting of a subcostal vein along
the margin to tip and a closely parallel radius with three
branches runnng into the subcosta. There are two spurs at
apex of all tibiae; four tarsal joints, the last much the longest,
with a lobe at base, claws are very stout on base, faintly
toothed at middle, and then very slender. The soldier has the
Kead enlarged in front, with a great cavity on the face, evi-
dently used to close passages of nest.
Nov., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
337
Cryptotermes cavifrons n. sp.
Soldier. — Yellowish brown abdomen whitish, antennae white, ante-
rior part of head and the mandibles jet black. Head greatly enlarged in
front so that seen from above it is nearly squaiv. n Districted sides, and
an emarginate front-line, in front there is a great, broad cavity from
antennas and mandibles up to vertex, the mandibles are large and long,
and much curved; the antenna; are about as long as head, with 13 joints.
The pronotum is broader than long, with slightly convex sides. The
eyes are distinct, a little behind antennae.
1 Tinged male. — Pale yellowish brown, legs and antennae paler; wings
hyaline, the costal veins yellowish; a black dot each side on front of
a, side of head.
/>, top of head and prothorax.
< . prothorax of winged male.
if. tarsus.
pronotum. Eyes large, nearly reaching antennal sockets. Wings quite
long, a subcostal vein to tip, a radius with branches ending at same
place as subcosta ; in fore-wings the radius has three oblique branches,
running into subcosta, the first arising beyond middle of wing, the second
before end of first, the third opposite end of second ; in hind-wings
there is also a cross-vein beyond the third branch. Antennae with six-
teen joints; pronotum broader than long, corners rounded.
Worker. — Pale whitish or yellowish. Antennae eleven or twelve-
jointed.
Several specimens from Kissimmee, Florida, in rotten wood.
Termopsis laticeps n. sp.
Soldier. — Head bright red-brown, darkest in front; mandibles shin-
ing black; pronotum reddish yellow; abdomen and legs pale yellowish;
antennae yellowish brown. Similar in most respects to T. angusticollis,
but the head is much broader, especially behind, than in that species ;
the pronotum, however, is not broader, so that the head behind is twice
as wide as the pronotum; antennae about twenty-two-jointed.
Jl'in^cd mule. — Similar to '/'. aiignstieolli.'<. but with a slightly broader
head: the eyes much larger than in that species; their anterior edge
reaching the antennal sockets. The costal margin of the wings is much
paler than in T. (iii^iislicullis. but the venation is similar to that spei
Several from Florence and Douglas, Arizona, August (Snow
and Biederman).
338 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov. , '06
Notes on the Habits of Cicindela»
BY RICHARD MOORE, M. D., Rochester, N. Y.
The following notes were made during a term of enforced
idleness, and although these observations on the habits of
Cicindela rcpanda and purpurea may be common knowledge to
most entomologists, I have never seen them in print and they
may be new to some.
Their habits were studied both in the field with the use of an
opera glass, and while they were confined in a box with glass
sides. This cage was placed on a table and allowed the observa-
tion of their actions to be made with the greatest ease.
Besides the usual habitat of dirt roads, paths in grassy
swards and bare places generally, C. purpurea was found in
fields where the grass was short and sparse, with small open
places the size of one's hand. In such places they do not flush
easily, and instead of flying when disturbed made their escape
by running in and. out of the grass, hiding under a tuft of
grass, more like a carabid than a cicindelid. In the earlv
spring, on hot days, they were found in numbers in such
places, very lively and active. In August and September they
were found only in roadways and lanes where the grass has
been worn away by travel, disporting themselves more soberly
than their spring brethren. They are strong fliers, but usually
content themselves with short excursions, unless persistently
pursued. When pursued they fly a few feet farther down the
path, then alight ; this will be repeated once or twice, but if
still disturbed, they turn from the path and alight in the grass
alongside of it. They are strong and rapid runners, and after
dropping in the grass, run with great rapidity towards an
open space and either take flight immediately or lie crouched
to the ground, ready to take wing if further disturbed. They
are diurnal in habit, but in the early spring and summer, if the
day was hot, they remained active until late in the evening
and then retired for the night under a chip of wood or stone.
In late summer and fall they were found on cloudy and cool
days, in small burrows, dug at the foot of clayey banks or even
in the sides of a wagon rut, lying in wait for any small insect
that may come near, rushing out at these, and, if making a cap-
Nov., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 339
ture, retiring to the burrow to eat. These burrows were readily
found, as the little pile of freshly dug" pellets of earth betrayed
the insects' hiding place. Their gait, when undisturbed, is
rather deliberate for members of this genus, they walk slowly,
exploring their feeding ground with great thoroughness, mak-
ing dashes at any small insect that comes within range of their
vision. One that was watched, traversed a lane twice in an
hour without taking wing. The distance traveled was about
one hundred and twenty feet, without counting the zig-zags
from side to side, made in quartering the ground in search of
food.
In captivity they were voracious eaters, feeding on flies
and other soft-bodied insects that were killed and placed
in their cage. Eight or ten flies were none too much
for a single beetle. They were particularly fond of
ants, a small black variety being their favorite. C. pur-
pnrca is the only Cicindcla that was observed that would
capture and eat ants, in fact they seemed to prefer them to any
other food offered. They were able to see the ants at about
four or five inches away ; when seen the ant was rushed, bitten
once and given a toss, as a terrier does when he catches a rat,
rushed again and bitten, this being repeated until the ant
showed little or no signs of life, when it was very deliberately
chewed and swallowed. While hunting, they stand very high ;
when biting their prey they have a queer see-saw motion of
their body, bobbing their head up and down and standing very
high on their hind legs. When disturbed they squat instantly
and remain motionless, if the danger becomes more threaten-
ing, they spring into the air and take wing. That they have
this power of springing into the air, and to which perhaps is
due their ability to take wing so readily, is seen in those who
from anchyloses of the elytra are unable to fly. One of these
deformed beetles that was under observation was able to jump
clear from the ground a little over an inch. They may hiber-
nate, as they were found late in October buried to the depth of
eighteen inches very much alive. One that was kept in cap-
tivity, captured late in the fall, was alive in its burrow at
Christmas time. Tt died shortly afterwards, due probably to
neglect to keep the earth in its cage moist.
340 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., '06
Cicindcla re panda was found everywhere during1 the summer.
They began to make their appearance here the last of April or
the first of May, in sanclcuts, roadways and railroad cuttings.
They were gregarious, one portion of the sandcut swarming
with them and none to be found a hundred feet away. Later
in the summer they were found on the shores of the lake and
river, where every sandspit was covered with them on a hot
day. When flushed they flew but a short distance, then
alighted; if persistent pursuit was made of an individual, it
would fly some fifty or more feet before alighting, or what is
more likelv. would circle around the pursuer and alight at some
distance behind him. The insect usually squats as closely to
the ground as it can after alighting and remains motionless. If
the pursuer remains absolutely stationary after the insect
alights, in a short time, two or three minutes, it will raise up
from its squatting position and begin to look for food, running-
rapidlv, stopping- everv foot or so, zig-zagging so as to nuprter
the ground thoroughly. In only a small per cent, of those
watched did they turn just as they alighted to face the pursuer.
This manoeuvre was more apt to occur if they were flving with
the wind, and was probably to enable them to alight easily.
Cicindela re'panda stands very high on its feet in walking, rest-
ing upon the outer foints of the tarsi. If disturbed it squats
close to the ground ; if further frightened, jumps a little into the
air, unfurls its win^s and is away. Thev would usually flush
when one is about four to six feet from them, especially if one
is walking with the wind or his shadow is cast before him : if
great care is taken in moving, walking very slowly and quietly,
they did not take alarm until one approached within two feet
or less. Their vision seems limited to four or six inches ; a stick
could be pointed towards them until it reached within seven
inches, without frightening them, a further approach was apt
to start them off. None were seen to take notice of insects
that passed them at a further distance than four inches. In
captivity they eat flies, preferably the ordinary house-fly. After
seizing the fly they run a short distance with it before beginning
to eat. During the time of eating they were very timid, run-
ning if another beetle comes near them. It took one four or
NOV., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 34 l
five minutes to devour a house-fly, and for several minutes after
the fly had disappeared the beetle stood, chewing and chewing
like a cow with a end. Small beetles like a Bembidium for
instance, when put in the cage, would be chased and bitten, but
no harm done them. They seemed in mortal fear of ants, run-
ning away from them and never offering to bite or chase them.
They are very thirsty beings, those kept in captivity drank after
every feeding; the first thing they did in the morning after
emerging from their burrows was to drink, and also at various
other times during the day. Their method of drinking is to
seize a morsel of moist sand with their mandibles, and with the
head thrown back hold it free from the ground and suck the
water from it. If the sand was quite wet they would bury
their jaws into it almost as deep as their eyes, with the
mandibles spread far apart, and drink in that way. A saucer
was sunk in the sand in the cage to imitate a pond; at no
time was one seen to drink from it. As an experiment one
of the beetles was placed in a separate cage where the sand
in it had been baked dry, a small glass receptacle easy to drink
from and full of water was put on the bottom of the cage, great
care being taken that no water was spilled on the sand. The
beetle did not drink from it, and died, probably from thirst.
The males are very amorous, copulating while in captivity
almost constantly. The manner of accomplishing the copulatory
act is as follows : The male seizes the female with his
mandibles around the lower segment of the thorax, and thrust-
ing out his penis, which is exceedingly long for the size of the
insect, of a brown color and curved upwards, tries to coax
open the female's receptacle. If she is willing, this is a short pro-
cess and the penis was thrust in with the utmost vigor its whole-
length. A few thrusts are followed by a period of rest, during
which the penis is partially withdrawn. This period of resl is fol-
lowed by another one of activity, to be again followed by a rest ;
this continues for about ten minutes, when the female makes
her escape. When the female is not so complacent, she thrusts
the end of her abdomen down against the ground to prevent
the entrance of the male organ. Then begins a series of
342
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., '06
manoeuvres on the part of the male ; he hugs her more closely,
and standing high on his hind legs, with his middle legs lifts
her abdomen from the ground, which she is pressing all the
time, coaxing with the end of his penis, endeavoring to effect
an entrance. Usually he succeeds, though sometimes the female
is adroit as well as obdurate, and after some minutes spent in
this amorous struggle his passion is gone, and the female releases
herself from his embrace. One of the beetles was more pas-
sionate than his fellows, going without food, riding one female
several hours, though unable to effect an entrance, and finally
copulating with a dead female that lay in a corner of the cage.
Each afternoon, about five o'clock on ordinary days, about
seven when the weather was extremely warm, they would retire
to a shallow burrow dug in the sand. This burrow was dug
near the edge of some object, like a stone or small block of
wood. In this burrow the beetle stayed until eight or nine in
the morning, and on days that were extremely warm they would
emerge somewhat earlier, but, as a rule, they were late risers.
These burrows were made by loosening the sand with the
mandibles, then pushing it back, first with the fore legs, then
with the middle legs, and then with the hind legs. The legs
are used alternately, all on one side, then all on the other side.
These burrows were one-half to one inch deep and opened out
at the bottom into a chamber about one-half inch in diameter,
enabling the beetle to turn around at the bottom of the burrow
and face the entrance. Sometimes the burrow was made larger
and two or more inhabited it. On rainy or cold days the
beetles remained in their burrows. During one rainy spell they
kept hidden for three days, then emerged as lively as ever.
There was frequently observed certain actions of the insects
confined in the cage, which simulated play. These same actions
were observed twice in the late summer among some beetles
that crowded a little sandspit on the banks of the river. This
play, if it can be called such, consisted in a cicindelid rushing
at a fellow, either snapping at him with his mandibles or merely
bumping against him and then running off, when the jostled
one would give chase and they would run around the cage
after one another. Sometimes a beetle would jostle another
Nov., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 343
several times before the jostled one would give chase. While
watching them do this one was reminded of boys at play.
In captivity they lived about two months ; towards the end
they became cripples, legs and antennae were lost, the struggle
for existence became more arduous and they finally succumbed.
Twice I had the good fortune to see C. repanda ovipositing.
The female, after several attempts, succeeded in forcing the end
of the abdomen, or an extruded portion which acted as an
ovipositor, through the hard crust of sand. The hind legs were
wide apart, the middle and front legs were extended to their
full extent, just touching the ground. Her position was that
of sitting on the end of the abdomen. The act lasted about
ten minutes, and during that time she showed no alarm at a
stick pointed at and almost touching her. How many eggs
were laid was not ascertained. Two eggs were obtained, one
was a straw-yellow, the other a pearl-gray. The yellow one
was 0.50 mm. wide, 0.78 mm. long, the gray one 0.45 mm. wide,
0.75 mm. long. Their shape was a short oval, with corrugated
surface of a triangular pattern. At one pole there was a well-
defined ridge, above which the egg was flattened and slightly
lower than the surrounding portion of the egg. They were held
together and also adhered to the sand by a few adhesive fila-
ments.
— • • «
A new Corethrella from Jamaica.
BY M. GRABHAM.
Corethrella appendicnlata n. sp.
Female. — Head black, covered sparingly with very small yellow hairs;
a few long yellow hairs along the borders above the eyes. Eyes black,
kidney-shaped. Proboscis and palpi yellow. Antenna : basal joint
nearly globular, a few fine golden hairs on its upper surface and around
the point of articulation of the second joint there is a sculptured radiat-
ing pattern; second joint densely covered with hairs; each of the fol-
lowing joints except the apical one has a band of long hairs above the
middle, as well as the longer basal verticel; apical joint narrow, longer
than the penultimate. Mesothorax black, with many fine yellow hairs
on its surface as well as a few long black ones. Scutellum narrow, with
a few long yellow hairs on its border. Metathorax black, nude. Abdo-
men densely covered with long golden-yellow hairs. Venter black.
Wings pale yellow, densely scaled with hair-like scales on the veins;
outer ami inner margins with a heavy fringe of coarse, long scales. A
344
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., '06
broad curved dark band across each wing beyond the middle, including
a portion of the fringe but broken by the absence of dark scales on the
third long vein. The band is darkest on the costal and first long veins.
There is also a triangular dark area with its base on the lower quarter
of -the costal vein and its apex on the fourth long vein. The space be-
tween these two dark areas is of a richer golden-yellow than the rest of
the wing. A small black spot at the extreme base of the wing near the
origin of the long veins. Halteres pale yellow. Legs black, very hairy,
with apical bands of bright yelow hairs on all the joints. Many yellow
hairs interspread with the black ones, especially on the feet. Femora
slightly swollen. Ungues much curved, simple and equal.
Male . — Antennae pale yellow ; basal and second joints as in the
female; all the following joints, including the swollen terminal one,
with well-developed basal verticals of long hairs ; there are also many
long fine hairs arising along each joint; on the last three joints these
are much shorter. Ungues equal and simple. Length : One and one-
half mm.
Adult larva. — Head pale yellow, compressed antero-posteriorly. An-
tennae inserted close together at the front of the head, folded back and
hidden along the anterior border, only the three apical spines projecting
forward ; apical spines slender, curved, the longest nearly half as long
as the shaft, the other two slightly shorter; inserted with them a short
comb-like appendage. Spines of the lateral sclerite about fifteen, stout,
not inserted upon a ridge, the larger obsoletely serrate along their con-
CORETHRELLA APPENDICULATA (larva).
i. — Labium.
2.— Process from appendage of gth segment.
cave borders. Labium with thirteen teeth ; the outermost pair very
small, the next four pairs progressively larger; central tooth as long
as the longest of this series ; tooth on each side of the central one only
half its length. Mandibles with seven stout teeth, the two innermost
largest. Thorax and abdomen glabrous ; colored a pale purple, rather
darker laterally. Eighth and ninth segments not pigmented. Thorax
elliptical, broader than the head. First abdominal segment very short,
second widest, seventh and eighth segments much attenuated. Three
large simple setae on each side of the two first abdominal segments ;
a pair on each of the following to the seventh, which has no long
lateral setae. A stout subventral hair on each segment from the third
to the sixth, arising near the posterior border. Subdorsal hairs appar-
ently absent. A group of several stout branched hairs at the posterior
lateral border of the eighth segment. Tube stout, compressed, about
half as long again as wide; a pair of branched hairs at the back below
the middle, not reaching to the top of the tube ; at the posterior aspect
of the summit there is a small simple straight hair on each side ; in front
of this nearer the side is a stout spine, arising from a prominent
tubercle, and curved inwards at its apex; a little in front of this again
a large pyramidal tubercle with a thorn-like apex and a conspicuous
black pigment spot near the top, it has also a long and stout subapical
Nov., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 345
spine which curves outwards at its point. Ninth segment strongly
curved downwards; the dorsal tuft of two pairs of very long double
setse rather widely separated; a little lateral to these a single long stout
spine arises from a prominent tubercle on each side. Ventral tuft of
four pairs of long simple setae arising close together. Anal gills
four, fleshy, equal, shortly subconical with rounded apices. Between the
ventral tuft and the lower pair of anal gills there is a small lateral
prominence on each side bearing four blade-like plates serrated along
their anterior borders with a number of progressively larger recurved
serrations, and with two much longer pointed processes near their
bases.
Note on the pupa. — Pale purple in color; thorax and abdomen in the
same straight line ; floating vertically when at rest at the surface of
the water. Each pointed process on the terminal segment has two short
spines at the apex, one-half the length of the other; there is another
short spine on the outer border at the apical third. Penultimate seg-
ment with one small lateral hair; antepenultimate segment with four
short lateral hairs on each side. Lateral margin serrate, devoid of a
fringe.
Type No. 9960, U. S. N. M.
Notes on the habits. — A few larvae were found in a hollow
tree in Kingston, Jamaica, about the middle of May, 1906. No
young larvae were found. The water was brown and thick,
and contained numerous minute crustaceans, upon which they
feed. Observed in a breeding jar they only occasionally came
to the surface and then lay horizontally like anopheline larvae.
Usually they remained at the bottom and displayed marked
activity, the head and anterior part of the body being now and
then rapidly jerked from side to side in their efforts to capture
crustaceans. No visible movements, creating currents such as
are seen in many culicid larvae in the organs surrounding the
mouth, were noticed. The hinder part of the body was ap-
parently kept anchored by the appendages on the terminal
segment. The larvae were often seen to suspend themselves by
these appendages to the side of the jar. When disturbed they
wriggled with quick lateral movements in a backward direc-
tion ; this appeared to be their normal method of progression.
They differ from the larvae of C. brakclcyi in the different shape
of the head and arrangement of setae and in the absence of the
chitinous plates on the seventh and eighth segments. The
pupa stage lasted about three weeks.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items
of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given
in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at out
earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep-
tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num-
ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or
important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five "extras," without change in form,
will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along
with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.— ED.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., NOVEMBER, 1906.
The great value of the study of entomology from an
economic standpoint, not only in relation to agriculture and
horticulture but in regard to many products useful to man,
makes it a pursuit of the utmost importance. The silk and
honey industries may be particularly mentioned as being of
much interest and value, and bring in a large revenue, and
produce both apparel and food. While much has been
accomplished in advancing knowledge of insects as carriers
of disease-producing organisms, this study is probably only
in its infancy, and while this knowledge is of incalculable
benefit there is much more to be learned. The value of
products annually destroyed by insects in the United States
has been placed as high as $i ,000,000,000. In view of all
this it is probable we do not as individuals do as much as we
should to create an interest in this subject among the masses
of the people, and try and enlighten them in regard to simple
truths. It sounds very curious for an otherwise intelligent
person to say that the house-flies come down from the sky
with the spring rains. Still another individual said that
mosquito eggs were laid by house-flies. An officer of the
State Board of Health of Pennsylvania thought that Balaninns
proboscoideus , the beetle produced from the chestnut worm was
poisonous and capable of harming human beings by means of
its long proboscis. Is there not some means by which we can
do more to enlighten the public and advance the interests of
entomology ?
346
NOV., *06J ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 347
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
The Association of Official Entomologists of the Cotton Belt will meet
at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, November i3th and i4th. Members of the
Association of Economic Entomologists, as well as others who may be
interested in entomological work in the South are cordially invited to
attend and participate in the meetings. Interesting and valuable papers
will be read.
AN APPEAL FOR INSTANT AID. — The last installment of manuscript of
the Odonate part of the Biologia Centrali- Americana will be forwarded
to the printer within a few weeks. The immediate loan of any Odonata
from any point in Mexico or Central America will be greatly appreciated.
Please send such material to me at the Academy of Natural Sciences,
Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa. 1 will pay the cost of transportation.—
PHILIP P. CALVKRT.
MYDAS FULVIFRONS ILLIGER. — Mydas fuhifrons at last has a female.
The male has been known since 1802. when Illiger described it from
Georgia. In later years it was also recorded from Florida. It hap-
pened that Osten Sacken described a female Mydas from Texas in
1874, under the name of chrysostoma. Mr. Chas. W. Johnson has
taken both "species" at Sea Isle City, N. J., and Anglesea, N. J. The
male of chrysostoma, as well as the female of fuh'ifrons, travelled
incognito until now, and alas, the secret is out. Mydas fuh'ifrons <$
and M. chrysostoma $ are one. I have taken them in coitu at Stone
Harbor, N. J., July 291)1. 1906, and Miss M. chrysostoma should hence-
forth be Mrs. Mydas fuh'ifrons. — ERICH DAECKE.
RHOPALOCERA IN THE VICINITY OF PT. ARENA, MENDOCINO COUNTY,
CAL. — While camping in a canyon in Mendocino County, near Pt.
Arena, during the months of July and August, I had a good chance to
collect most of the species of Rhopalocera found there. This canyon is
about a hundred miles northwest of San Francisco. The stream which
runs through it empties directly into the Pacific. Along the coast the
country is rather level, becoming hilly and mountainous farther up
stream. Most of this coast land is cultivated, and there are almost no
trees except a few pines on the hilltops. It was among these pines,
where wild violets were plentiful, that Brenthis epithore was found.
The canyon proper begins about four miles back from the ocean. Its
Miles were covered with underbrush, including several species of Rubus
and many ferns. Redwoods, tan-bark oaks (Quercus dcnsiflora), alders,
bay trees, elders, wild lilacs (Ceanotlnis thyrsiflorus), etc., were found
here. At one spot in the canyon there is an abandoned tie-camp,
348 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., '06
around which thistles and nettles grew abundantly. Graptas were
found around the nettles, and most of the other butterflies were found
on the thistles, especially on a species which blossomed late in August.
W. J. Holland ("The Butterfly Book," 1898) says that Pyraincis
huntera "ranges from Nova Scotia to Mexico east of the Sierras." W.
G. Wright ("Butterflies of the West Coast," 1905) states that "huntera
flies over the whole of the United States," but he also says that "it is
very wary, and not easily caught." I found huntera on the last men-
tioned species of thistle and it was very easily caught.
The following is a list of the Rhopalocera collected either in the
canyon or in the nearby fields :
Anosia plexippus Linn; Argynnis coronis B>ehr; Brcnthis cpitlwre
Boisd; Mclitaea chalcedon Dbl. & Hew; Phyciodes mylitta Edw;
P. pratensis Behr ; Grapta satyrus Edw ; G. satyrus var. tnarsyas Edw ;
Vanessa calif ornica Boisd; Pyrameis atalanta Linn; P. huntera Fabr;
P. cardui Linn; P. caryae Htibn ; Junonia coenia Hiibn; Basilarch'ui
lorquini Boisd; Adelpha calif ornica Butl ; Coenonympha California Dbl.
& Hew; Thccla grunus Boisd; Chrysophanus Jiclloides Boisd; Lycacna
acmon Dbl. & Hew; Pieris napi, rar. pallida Scudd; P. rapae Linn;
Anthocharis sara, var. flora Wright; Colias eurydice Boisd; C. keezvay-
din Edw; Papilio rutulus Boisd; P. eurymedon Boisd; Pyrgus tessel-
lata ; P. inonti-vagus Reakirt. — ERVAL J. NEWCOMER, Palo Alto, Cal.
THE KANSAS UNIVERSITY COLLECTION. — Stored in the topmost story
of the new Natural History Museum building, where it is almost
invariably overlooked by the casual visitor, is the entomological col-
lection of the University of Kansas. Here 200,000 specimens, repre-
senting more than 21,000 species, are carefully preserved and neatly
classified in the fifteen cabinets especially arranged for them, all col-
lected somewhere in the United States.
Dr. F. H. Snow, the curator, has estimated the value of the collec-
tion at $50,000, but it probably could not be anywhere near replaced for
that sum. The beetle collection is especially fine.
Valuable as the collection is, it has cost the State of Kansas hardly
a fraction of its real value, as it represents the work of Dr. Snow, who
started and has fostered the collection in all the forty years he has
been with the university. In early days, when the university was small
and had no money to spend on scientific expeditions of any kind, the
collection was started by Dr. Snow, who made the collecting trips
entirely at his own expense, roughing it just the same as a prospector
would do, but always bringing back several thousand specimens to add
to the university collection. In all he has made twenty-four such col-
lecting trips, but of late years the expenses have been paid by the
university.
Dr. Snow is generaly accompanied on these expeditions by students
in the entomological department, who wish to get the practical experi-
Nov., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 349
ence in collecting and classifying specimens. Only the barest necessi-
ties of life are taken along.
All the many thousand specimens in the University of Kansas col-
lection have not been the direct result of Dr. Snow's expeditions. Some
have been obtained by trading duplicate specimens. Especially is this
true in the beetle collection. Tn one of his earliest expeditions in Logan
County in the summer of 1877. Dr. Snow made a genuine find, a giant
tii;tT beetle. Amblycheila cylindriformis, then an extremely rare species
and valued at $25. Early in the morning was the best time to capture
these valuable specimens, so every day the entire party would be up
before sunrise and off to the haunts of the tiger beetle at the foot of
some cliffs nearby. Down on their hands and knees they would go and
the active search for the $25 specimens would begin.
In all a thousand specimens were obtained of this valuable beetle,
and it was by trading these that the foundation of the beetle collection
was made. Twenty-five dollars' worth of the insects for each giant tiger
beetle soon caused the collection to swell wonderfully in proportions,
but in time the market became flooded with the beetles and their
value depreciated accordingly.
NAMES OF COLEOPTERA. — I am greatly indebted to Mr. E. Bergroth for
some corrections to my paper in the September NEWS. Helopcllis
Horn, is Helobata Bergroth, Deutsche Ent. Zeitschr.. 1888. p. 222, and
our species will be Helobata larralis. Ino. Lap. is Inoplcctus Smith.
1851. Our species will be Inoplectus rcclusus (Lee.) and I. immuudus
(Reit). Drapetcs Redt. stands as Drapetes Meg. "is not a published
name." ll'ollastoniella was used by Renter in Hemiptera in 1884 (it is
not in the Index Zoologicus) ; Wollastoma Horn may become Para-
hornia n. n. ; type Parahornia quercicola (Boh.).
A few misprints are confusing enough to be worth correcting: p. 240,
for Diplochclia read Diplochcila; p. 244, for Amblychelia read Ambly-
clicila; for month, read Montf. ; for 2 and 9 read Q. and G. (Quoy and
Gaimard). — T. D. A. COCKERELL.
A FEW CORRECTIONS. — "On some new species of Geometrid
from Arizona and California.'' described by Rev. George W. Taylor in
the June iss'iie of the ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Vol. xvii. No. 6. the folln\\
ing errors in spelling should be corrected: Page 188, description i.
should read MclcHiaca instead of Mclcmaca rii-guta. according to tin-
original description by Mr. Hulst in the "Trans Am. Ent. Soc.." xxiii.
September. 1896. page 340.
Description No. 5, page 190, should read Eucmcra instead of
F.ncincra sinnilaria, as both Mr. Dyar and Mr. Smith are incorrect
according to the original descriptions by Mr. Tlulst in the "Tr.'ins Am
Ent. Soc.," Vol. xxiii, page 368. — Louis W. SWKTT.
350 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov. , '06
SOME ARACHNIDA FROM WASHINGTON STATE. — Among a small num-
ber of Arachnida collected by me in the vicinity of Seattle I think it
worth recording the following species, as I believe most of them are
hitherto known only from more southern or eastern localities: Philaeus
militaris Hentz ; Cybaeus reticulatus Sim; Amaurobis pictus Sim:
Theridium sexpunctatum Em: Lepthyphautes arcuatus Keys; Iih'obis-
ium theveneti Sim. They have kindly been determined by Mr. X.
Banks. — E. BERGROTH.
CORRECTIONS VOL. XVII.
Page 302, line \%— waldonii to waldenii.
" 38— insert ' ' area ' ' between ' ' punctate ' ' and " at. "
" 3°3> " 3— culbitus to cubitus.
" " 7, 19, 26, 30, 35 — waldonii to waldenii and Waldon to
Walden.
" " 12— say to Say.
" " 26— etoid to third.
" 33 — eyregia to egregia.
304, " 13,37,43 — waldonii to waldenii and Waldon to Walden.
" " 18— transient to trenchant.
TENACITY OF ACANTHIA LECTULARIA LINN. — In 1902 I bought a
new willow rocking chair from a Cincinnati furniture dealer. It had
arms made of plaited willow; whenever I sat in this chair, with shirt
sleeves rolled up, my right arm, which rested on the chair arm,
would be bitten and swollen. I soon came to the conclusion there
was "something doing" in the arm of the chair, so I laid it over a
large sheet of paper and poured gasoline over it. Out of the arm
of the chair I jarred 150 (actual count) fiendish "bed bugs." This was
the same year I bought the chair. Since then, every summer, there
have been bugs in that chair. I have poured boiling water over it, and
drenched it with gasoline, but enough eggs have always escaped destruc-
tion to keep things going. I am ready to present this Heiniptera incu-
bator to any Hemipterist who will take it.
—CHARLES DURY, Cincinnati, Ohio.
ON the night of September 20th my wife was greatly annoyed by the
persistency and ferocity of a mosquito, and was obliged to get up and
apply oil of citronella to be able to sleep. In the morning the mosquito
was located in the room, but efforts to catch it failed, as it flew when-
ever approach, and a net was not at hand. When I returned in the
evening my wife said she had succeeded in getting it into a cyanide tube.
T did not know the species at sight and a table for determination I con-
sulted, did not list it. Finally, I found it to be Janthinosonia musica
Say. I imagine the second story of a house in the heart of a large
city (Philadelphia) where there is nothing but bricks and mortar and
paved streets for miles is a rather unusual place for this species. —
HENRY SKINNER.
Nov., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 351
PLATHEMIS SUBORNATA (Odonata). — Among some dragonflies recently
received from Ernest Oslar are specimens of the above species. Refer-
ences to this species are rare ; in fact in addition to Hagen's notes, I
know of only one other, a passing reference by Ris,* excepting, of
course, its occurrence in catalogues (Kirby and Banks). For this reason
a brief note on characters and distribu-
tion as shown by Oslar's material may
not be out of place. In fully adult
. males the wing coloration, by the in-
uni.r:i>Ki:ssA PLA LYDU ,
crease in density of color between the
two wing bands, becomes almost indis-
tinguishable from Plathemis lydia. The
most reliable character I have found for
separating the two species in such a
'PSITJOKNATA > SUBORNATA ' case is the form of the bifid ventral tu-
bercle on the first abdominal segment, as shown in the accompanying
figures. As shown, subornata is somewhat variable, but can never be
mistaken for lydia. I cannot detect any structural character for separa-
ting the females of the two species. Other characters separating them
are : subornata, 9. abdominal segments 9 and 10 largely black ; 5-8 with
lateral spots continuing the direction of spots anterior to them, not
lowered to the lateral carina ; antehumeral stripe or vestiges present ;
wing apices not dark; fydia, 9, abdominal segments 9 and 10 largely
pale brown ; 5-8 with lateral spots touching lateral carina, not in line
with spots anterior to them ; antehumeral stripe wanting ; wing apices
dark.
One 9, Albuquerque, New Mexico, July, 21, 1902, is like lydia in all
characters, excepting that the wings lack the apical dark area. This
specimen lacks any hint of the second or distal wing band present in sub-
ornata. In fact its wing markings rather suggest Libellula forensis. I
regard it, however, as certainly lydia. Another 9 of lydia (Albuquer-
que, New Mexico) has a trace of a subapical brown spot behind the
stigma, as in subornata. This gives each wing 4 spots. Oslar's collect-
ing contains specimens from the following localities : — subornata : Albu-
querque, New Mexico, July 17, 1902, and without date labels ; Gallinas
Canon, New Mexico, July 23, 1902; Rio Grande, New Mexico, July 12,
1902, and without date labels ; Pagosa Springs, Colorado, June 30, 1899 ;
Berkeley Lake, Colorado, June 15, 1898, and without date labels ; lydia :
Albuquerque, New Mexico, July 17, 21 and 27, 1902 ; Rio Grande, Ncu
Mexico, July 12 and 27, 1902, and without date labels ; Arroyo, Pecos
River, New Mexico, July 12 and 17, 1902, and without date labels ; Berke-
ley Lake, Colorado, June 15 and 30, 1898, and July 23, 1901 ; Sloans
Lake, Denver, Colorado, June i, 1898.— E. B. WILLIAMSON.
• And Needham and Cockerell, Psyche, 1003, p. 135- After writing the above I notice
that Dr. Calvert has made use of the same characters of the bifid tutirnle in treating of
in Bin]. Ontr.-AtmT. NVnr. p. 205, Oct., 1905.
352 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., '06
On the Formation of an Entomological Society of
America.
To ALL INTERESTED IN ENTOMOLOGY.
The initial meeting of The Entomological Society of
America will be held in New York City in connection with the
mid-winter meetings of the American Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science.
This society has been organized to meet the need of a
national entomological society, which shall represent all de-
partments of entomology, and which shall hold a place in
American entomology similar to that held in their respective
countries by the great foreign entomological societies.
It is hoped that this movement will have the co-operation
of all of the existing entomological societies in this country,
and that it will in no way interfere with the success of any of
them. It is believed that a strong national society, which shall
bring together workers in all fields of entomology, will tend
to broaden the interests of each, and to strengthen the more
special or local societies.
The amount of entomological work that is being done in
the United States and Canada is great compared with what is
being done in any other country ; it is fitting, therefore, that the
workers in this field should be united in a national society.
On another page there is given the report of the Committee
on Organization, and an invitation is hereby extended to
every one interested in entomology to join the society. Ap-
plications for membership may be addressed to J. H. Corn-
stock, Ithaca, New York.
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA.
A meeting of the committee to organize a national ento-
mological society, for which provision was made at the Phila-
delphia meeting of the Entomological Club of the A. A. A. S.,
was held June 28, 1906, in the entomological laboratory of
Cornell University. The New York Entomological Society
was represented by Mr. Carl Schaeffer; the Chicago Entomo-
NOV., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 353
logical Society, by Dr. James G. Needham ; the Jugate (the
Ithaca Society), by Professor J. H. Comstock; the Newark
Entomological Society, by Mr. J. A. Grossbeck ; the Entomo-
logical Society of Ontario, by Rev. Professor C. J. S. Bethune,
and the American Entomological Society, by Mr. J. Chester
Bradley. At an adjourned meeting the Washington Entomo-
logical Society was represented by Mr. E. S. G. Titus.
The committee was organized by the appointment of Pro-
fessor Comstock as chairman, and Mr. Bradley as secretary.
The Secretary then stated in brief the history of the pres-
ent movement for the organization of a national entomological
society. The parts of Mr. Lyman's two presidential addresse-
dealing with the organization of an entomological union were
read and discussed. Discussion then followed as to the pur-
poses for which such a society should exist and as to whether
there was need for one. The opinion that there was such a
need seemed to prevail, but it was urged that if the society
be formed it should be based on broad and comprehensive
grounds. It was then moved that it is the sense of this com-
mittee that the organization of a national entomological society
is desirable. Every member in turn was called upon for an
expression of opinion, and every one spoke in favor of the
organization : but it was the feeling of the committee that the
success of such a society would depend on the securing of
co-operation of other societies like the Association of Economic
Entomologists and the Entomological Club of the A. A. A. S.
It was suggested that provision might advantageously be
made for committees on policy, as on education, on legislation,
on museum methods, and on nomenclature.
Strong opposition was made to the formation of any inde-
pendent code for entomologists ; but it was believed that a
committee on nomenclature might have legitimate ground for
existence in voicing the peculiar needs of entomology in mat-
ters of nomenclature and in securing their adequate repre-
sentation in the International Zoological Congress.
A sub-committee was appointed to draft a Constitution and
By-Laws, which should embody the decisions reached by the
committee, and to report them at an adjourned meeting.
354 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov. , '06
The committee then discussed membership, dues, officers,
elections and other matters. The decisions concerning these
were subsequently embodied in the Constitution and By-Laws.
The committee then adjourned until the folowing day.
At an adjourned meeting, held June 29, 1906, the report of
the Sub-Committee on Constitution and By-Laws was read
and discussed. After the making of some changes the report
tvas adopted, and the sub-committee was authorized to pre-
pare and have printed a report of the committee, together with
the Constitution and By-Laws, and to send them, with an invita-
tion to be present at the initial meeting of the society, to evrr\
entomologist in the country whose address could be learned,
and to have them published in the entomological journals. The
sub-committee was also authorized to call an initial meeting
in New York City in connection with the midwinter meetings
of the A. A. A. S., to make arrangements for that meeting,
and to transact such other business as may be necessary.
At a second adjourned meeting, held June 30, 1906, it was
decided to apply at once for affiliation with the American Asso-
ciation for the Advancement of Science, and such application
was subsequently made.
J. CHESTER BRADLEY, Secretary.
The Entomological Society of America.
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE I.
NAME.
SECTION I. — This organization shall be known as THE
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA.
ARTICLE II.
OBJECTS.
SECTION i. — It shall be the purpose of this society to pro-
mote the science of entomology in all its branches, to secure
co-operation in all measures tending to that end, and to facili-
tate personal intercourse between entomologists.
NOV., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 355
ARTICLE III.
MEMBERSHIP.
SECTION i. — The active membership of this society shall
consist of two classes : members and fellows.
SEC. 2. — All persons interested in entomology shall be
eligible to membership.
SEC. 3. — Members who have contributed to the science of
entomology in some important way may be elected fellows of
the society. The number of fellows shall not exceed fifty at
any time.
ARTICLE IV.
OFFICERS.
SECTION i. — The officers of the society shall be a President,
two Vice-Presidents and a Secretary-Treasurer. The duty of
these officers shall be those usually pertaining, to their respec-
tive offices.
SEC. 2. — The business of the society not otherwise pro-
vided for shall be in the hands of an Executive Committee,
consisting of the officers named in Section i, and six addi-
tional members, who shall be elected by tlie society. Four
members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
SEC. 3. — The President shall represent the society upon
the Council of the American Association for the Advancement
of Science.*
SEC. 3. — All officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual
meeting, for a term of one year, and shall be eligible for re-
election.
ARTICLE V.
ELECTIONS.
SECTION i. — Election of Members. Nominations for mem-
bership may be made by any two members, and election shall
be by Executive Committee.
SEC. 2. — Election of Fellows. All nominations for fellows
shall be signed by three or more members or fellows, and each
nomination shall be accompanied by the following information
*This section was adopted provisionally; it is to 1>c included if
affiliation with A. A. A. S. he granted.
356 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov. , '06
concerning the nominee : name, address, occupation, branches
of entomology engaged in, positions held involving entomologi-
cal experience, entomological work done, and list of publica-
tions.
Election shall be by ballot at the annual meeting, upon
nominations approved by the Executive Committee. Ballot
may also be taken upon such other nominations, previously sent
to the Executive Committee, as may be demanded by any five
members or fellows. All elections of fellows shall require a
two-thirds vote of the members present.
ARTICLE VI.
MEETINGS.
SECTION i. — An annual meeting shall be held at such time
and place as the Executive Committee each year may select.
ARTICLE VII.
AMENDMENTS.
SECTION i. — This Constitution may be altered or amended at
dny annual meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members pres-
ent, a copy of each amendment proposed having been sent to
members and fellows at least one month in advance of the
meeting.
BY-LAWS.
1. The annual dues for members and fellows shall be one
dollar.
2. A majority of the members present at an annual meeting
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
3. Notice of all meetings of the society shall be sent to
members at least one month in advance.
4. The Executive Committee shall provide a program for
all meetings, including, at the annual meeting, a popular lec-
ture, and a technical entomological exhibit of material and
methods.
5. The time of the business meeting shall be published prior
to the opening session of the annual meeting.
THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE WEST COAST
COLORED PHOTOGRAPHIC FIGURES AND DESCRIPTIVE TEXT OF EVERY
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material and books in the publishers' hands was lost, including
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not burned. The original publishers have relinquished all
rights in the book, and have none for sale. The price is ad-
vanced to $10 per copy. For sale only by the author.
W. G. WRIGHT, 445 F. ST., SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
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DECEMBER, 1906.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
Vol. XVII.
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Limnophila aspidoptera Coquillett.
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VOL. XVII.
DECEMBER, 1906.
No. 10.
CONTENTS:
Miller— Some notes on the Dragonflies
• 'I Waterloo, Iowa 357
Sanderson — Texas Notes — III 361
Rebn — Conocephalus lyristes_. 366
Davis — Number of eggs of Samia ce-
cropia, Pulvinaria innumerabilis,
:iinl Culex pipiens 368
Melander — Some new or little-k:i(i\\ n
i a of Empididae 370
Skinner — A new variety of Papilio ru-
tulus Boisd 374
Skinner — A new Syntomeida 379
Weber — The song of the Mosquito 380
Girault— The method of feeding in I..-p
toglossus ^sj
Van Duzee — New North Aim TU ;m
Helen >ptera 3^.)
Jones-- A new ("ulerebra from Nebrask..
Fall — A new i'latyeerus and a new 1'le-
ocoma
Smile — Notes on Moths
Editorial
Notes and News
Entomological Literature
Doings of Societies
Some notes on the Dragonflies of Waterloo, Iowa.
BY NEWTON MILLER, Thorntown, Iowa.
Waterloo is situated in the northeastern part of Iowa on the
Red Cedar River. This region in general is level and dotted
with ponds and sloughs. One of these sloughs extends along
the northern edge of Waterloo around in a northwesterly
direction for about a half mile, with a maximum width of
about 175 or 200 yards. Its southern end communicates with
the river, and its northern end terminates in more or less iso-
lated ponds which extend almost to the river. During high
water a large quantity of water from the river finds its way
through this slough. Entering the slough, near town from
the east, is a small stream six or eight feet wide. In and
about this slough is a rank growth of wild rice, flags, cattails
and smaller species. Around the northern end is a grove of
small trees.
Such conditions are typical of a great number of places
within a radius of a few miles of Waterloo. Those farther
away from the river have in most cases no trees about them.
Red Cedar River, where it flows through Waterloo, is about
75 yards wide and is shallow for a river of its width. In the
357
358 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
vicinity of Waterloo its banks usually have an abundance of
willows, while its course is narrowly margined by small timber.
Dragonflies were very scarce along the river, but I was told
they became abundant later in the summer.
South of Waterloo is Elk Run, a small stream some 20 to
30 feet wide, which empties into Red Cedar River about six
miles below the town. Some trees grow along its course, and
my collection along it was made in an open woods. Its bed is
composed mostly of sand.
A short distance to the northeast of the mouth of Elk Run
is a slough that has no trees or shrubs about it. This slough
is in a pasture tract of land and the cattle keep the vegetation
well eaten off, especially during the dry summer months, when
a large portion of the slough goes dry leaving only a string of
isolated ponds.
The dragonfly season did not open in the locality of Water-
loo until after June ist. However, a very few specimens of
Anax junius and Ischnura verticalis were seen as early as May
2oth. By the time dragonflies began to fly I had only one day
and parts of two more to devote to the collection of Odonata.
There had been four consecutive warm days previous to June
7th, on the afternoon of which I made my first collection.
This hot, clear afternoon I collected about the slough north
of Waterloo, especially that portion near the edge of town.
Seventy-eight specimens were taken. The next morning, June
8th, which was hot and clear, I collected about the northern
portion of the same slough, taking between 170 and 180 speci-
mens.
The following day collections were made along Elk Run in
the morning and about the slough near the mouth of Elk Run
in the afternoon. The morning for the most part was clear,
but shortly before noon it clouded up and by 2.30 o'clock it
was so cloudy and windy that I had to give up my collecting.
The high winds of this region are no little handicap to the
insect collector. The result of my morning's work along Elk
Run was more than 120 specimens. Calopteryx ccquabilis was
abundant along the banks in shady places. Those taken in
the afternoon around the slough were for the most part small
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 359
species which had taken shelter in the grass from the wind and
which I bagged by walking against the wind, dragging my
net through the grass. Ischnura verticalis, Nchalennia iron*
and Enallagma hageni were abundant here.
Many of my specimens are tenerals, which were very abund-
ant around the sloughs. The rapidity with which three or
four warm days were bringing out the dragonflies would indi-
cate that these sloughs would be teeming with dragonfly life
in a week or so of warm weather.
The following is a list of the species of my collection as
determined by Mr. E. B. Williamson :
Calopteryx maculata Beauvois. Nine males, seven females,
open woods along Elk Run ; quite abundant.
Calopteryx (zquabilis Say. Twenty-five males, 23 females ;
open woods along Elk Run in shady places. These 48 speci-
mens were taken in less than two hours.
HctcErina amcricana Fabricius. One male from the slough
near the mouth of Elk Run.
Lestes unguiculatus Hagen. Ten males, nineteen females ;
abundant about slough near mouth of Elk Run.
Lestes forcipatus Rambur. Two males.
Lestes rectangularis Say. Five males, i female ; scarce, just
emerging ; slough north of Waterloo.
Lestes uncatus Kirby. Thirteen males ; 14 females ; abund-
ant about slough near mouth of Elk Run.
Nehalennia Irene Hagen. Twenty-one males; 15 females;
very abundant about slough near Elk Run. This species was
found near the ground or water in the grass where it had
probably taken shelter from the wind.
Amphiagrion sauciuin Burmeister. Two males from the
slough at north edge of Waterloo.
Enallagma hageni Walsh. Ninety-five males ; 15 females ;
individuals of this species more numerous than any of the
other 27 species ; most abundant about slough near mouth of
Elk Run.
Enallagma cbrium Hagen. Six males from the slough north
of Waterloo.
Enallagma antennatum. Say. Thirteen males ; seven fe-
360 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
males ; common about slough north of Waterloo and the one
near mouth of Elk Run.
Ischnura verticals Say. Twenty-eight males; 21 females;
abundant about the sloughs at Elk Run and north of Water-
loo. This was one of the earliest species out. A few individ-
uals were seen at least two weeks before other species, except
Anax junius, appeared in any numbers.
Anomalagrion hastatum Say. One male.
Gomphus fraternus Say. Two females.
Gomphus cormitus Tough. One female in poor condition,
not fit for description, probably belongs here though the
female has not been described.
Gomphus sp. ? Two females. These are teneral, and Mr.
Williamson hesitates to give them a specific name.
Anax junius Drury. Two males ; 2 females ; common about
woods and slough north of Waterloo. One of the earliest,
species out in the spring. As many were seen patroling the
open woods as about the water.
Nasi&schna pentacantha Rambur. A male and a female from
slough north of Waterloo.
Macromia illinoiensis Walsh. Three males and one female,
from slough north of Waterloo.
Tetragoneuria cynosura Say. Nine males, three females ;
taken late in the afternoon along the bank over the water in
the shade near the edge of Waterloo.
Epicordulia princeps Hagen. Fifteen males, 22 females ;
found in great numbers' at north end of slough at Waterloo.
They were perched lengthwise on branches and twigs in the
sun. Frequently several would be strung along on a drooping
twig close together so that three to five could be taken with a
single stroke of the net. All were recently emerged.
Leucorhinia intacta Hagen. Five males, 2 females.
Mesothcmis simplicicollis Say. A male and a female.
Pachydiplax longipennis Burmeister. Nineteen males, seven
females ; very abundant about slough north of Waterloo.
Found perched above the water with wings drooped, getting
the full benefit of the sun.
Libellula basalis Say. Scarce ; two males, taken from weeds
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 361
a short distance from the water's edge at the slough north of
Waterloo.
Libellula pukhella Drury. Sixteen males ; four females ;
abundant about sloughs at Elk Run and north of Waterloo.
Females found about the water only when they came to
oviposit.
Plathemis lydia Drury. Nine males, four females ; common
about the mouth of the little stream in slough near edge of
Waterloo.
Texas Notes. — III.
BY E. DWIGHT SANDERSON.
The Chinch Bug in Texas.
But little has been written concerning- the common chinch
bug- (Blissus leucopterus) in the Gulf States. In endeavoring
to devise means for its control in Texas several notes of gen-
eral interest were made.
The region affected by the chinch bug in Texas is largely
coextensive with the grain belt, but injury occurs south into the
central part of the State as far as Brazos County, about 125
miles north of the Gulf. South of this we received no com-
plaint of damage. The adult bugs hibernate over winter in
fields of small grain, in the stacks and stubble of corn, under
bark of logs, and seemingly in any sheltered situation. We
have found them numerous in the hollows made in the stem of
the bull nettle (Solaniim rostratum} by the little beetle Tricho-
baris te.rana. They emerge in March or April according to
the season. In 1903 they were first noticed in north Texas
the second week in April. At College Station they were
numerous on the 2Otlr, but oviposition did not take place until
about May I. In 1904, the season being unusually early,
straggling specimens were observed at College Station March
7th. On March 3Oth they were common on volunteer sorghum,
though none on corn, and first copulation was observed. In
1903 the first young nymphs were observed May 8. On May
21 the first instar was still most abundant, though a few in the
second instar were found. June 4 some had reached the
362 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
so-called pupa stage, though a large proportion were still in
the first instar.
June u, 1903, the first adults of the new brood were found
and most of the nymphs were ready to transform. The first
eggs were laid April 2, 1904, as far as observed in the field.
On April 23 a few nymphs in the second instar were observed.
Nymphs in all instars were secured April 28, but no eggs. On
May 14 nymphs in the second and fourth instars were observed
and hibernated adults were very scarce. The spring rains
caused a high mortality this season and further observations
are lacking. Prof. Webster (Bulletin 15, Bureau Entomology,
pg. 19) quotes Dr. Shimer as stating that the adult develops
57 to 60 days after the deposition of the eggs. Though the
above data are not conclusive, yet from the field observations
it is evident that the development from oviposition takes place
in at least 45 days and possibly less. A second generation
seriously damages sorghum and late planted Mexican June
corn in July and August. I have no recorded observations
concerning a third brood, but am quite certain that a third
generation is developed before hibernating for the winter.
The habits and injury done by the bugs are quite variable,
making their control much more difficult than further north.
When the adults emerge from hibernation in March or April
they may fly directly to the young corn just appearing above
the ground. They are frequently observed flying or alighting
on horses at this season. Furthermore, they will often be found
in spots here and there over a large field of corn. In other
instances, however, they seem to remain mostly on oats and
wheat, so that when the latter are cut in June they migrate to
corn as further north.
Upon the young corn from a half dozen to as many as thirty
will be found on a hill in which the plants are not three inches
high. In many cases replanting in spots is necessary. The
most serious injury is done by the adults of the next genera-
tion late in May or early June, when the corn is about knee or
waist-high. Having bred in the corn field and not migrating
to it, as a rule, as in the North, the bugs are very abundant
over the entire corn field. The usual methods of control prac-
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 363
tised in the North to prevent migration are therefore inappli-
cable. In other cases, however, the first generation develops
on small grains, more particularly spring oats, and migrates
when they are cut to corn, which is then badly injured. Millet
and sorghum seem to be favorite food plants, and we believe
if properly handled might be used as catch or trap crops, as
some preliminary experiments made in 1904 and the experi-
ence of practical farmers indicated.
Needless to state, in Texas as elsewhere, injury is the worst
in dry seasons. In 1901 and 1902 the drouth and chinch bugs
caused a well-nigh total failure of the corn crop of northern
Texas. Old residents who moved to Texas from Illinois where
they had known the chinch bug have stated that the pest was
injurious forty years ago, though possibly more so, as the land
has been brought entirely under cultivation.
Although no entirely successful remedial measures were dis-
covered for the control of the first generation on corn in the
spring, some proved so promising that they are worthy of
record.
Both young corn plants but a few inches high, and those
nearly ready to tassel, were sprayed with an emulsion made
with three gallons of crude Beaumont oil, il/2 pounds of soap,
emulsified and diluted with a barrel of water, thus giving about
6.6 per cent, of oil. This was fatal to all bugs hit and did no
injury to the plants. As Beaumont oil is very much cheaper
than kerosene, emulsions made with it are worthy of trial for
other purposes in the southwest. Though all the bugs upon
the young plants might be killed by the spraying, yet in a day
or two others would arrive and thus to be effectual the spray-
ing would need to be repeated, which is hardly possible on
large acreages. For the older corn the spraying, if the bugs
are abundant enough to threaten serious injury, is more feasible
and profitable.
It was noticed that when the hibernated bugs migrated to
corn in the early spring they were much more abundant
upon fields which had been cultivated and the earth was in
clods. Where the soil had been packet 1 tightly around the
plants by rains and had not been loosened tin-re wnv fV\v bu
364 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
This was also true to a certain extent in oat fields. Clearly the
bugs preferred a soil with numerous cracks in which they
might hide and oviposit. This being the case, it seemed prob-
able that if a liberal application of tobacco dust were applied
to each hill of corn they might be driven off. Field experi-
ments were therefore instituted to test the value of this remedy.
It was found that where strong winds did not blow the dust
away the bugs were almost entirely killed by it, a dozen or
so being found dead at each hill. Usually in about an hour
after application the bugs remaining at the hill were stupefied.
The action of the tobacco dust on these insects is rather
unique, being comparable to a moth flying to its death in a
flame, for both are the result of tropisms.
The chinch bug seems to be very clearly and decidedly
stereotropic, to use the term coined, I believe, by Prof. Jacques
Loeb. Possibly they are also geotropic, but this is not so clear.
In other words, the chinch bug has an instinctive attraction for
a crevice or coarse loose soil. This is incidental with the ovipo-
sition of the hibernated brood. Neither geotropism or nega-
tive heliotropism seem to explain the phenomena. That an
insect should so instinctively remain in a substance which
soon causes its death, and the odor of which is enough to drive
many insects from plants, seemed so unusual that some labora-
tory experiments were made to further show this point. ' May 3,
1903, Mr. Wilmon Newell placed 27 adult bugs in a box and
covered with tobacco dust. After two and one-half hours the
dust was removed, none having escaped, though they might
easily have done so, the box being uncovered and the dust
shallow ; of the 27 but 7 revived. Thirty bugs were similarly
placed under tobacco dust the same day for three hours, but one
of them reviving. Twenty-one bugs were placed in a small box
and covered a half inch deep with tobacco dust. Three crawled
out. Four others crawled to the surface, two remaining upon
it and two crawling back in the dust. At fifteen minutes all
were stupefied. At end of seventeen minutes three bugs were
removed from the box and placed on the table. In sixty
minutes one crawled off, and in eighty minutes another revived.
Twenty-two minutes after the experiment was started, five
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 365
were removed; eighty minutes later two crawled off: twelve
hours later all had revived, though some were still stupid. At
the end of thirty-two minutes, five more were taken from the
box ; one hour later one crawled off, and thirty-six hours later
two were found dead ; at forty-seven minutes six were re-
moved. Four of these were dead thirty-six hours later.
Again, to show the attraction of the loose dust or soil for the
bugs, for they. would undoubtedly crawl into sawdust equally
readily, ten bugs were placed on the surface of a half inch of
tobacco dust. All crawled into it at once. Three subsequently
crawled out and away. None remained on the surface, though
near it. In ten minutes all were stupefied and were removed
and exposed to air. Some of these had recovered ninety min-
utes later and all revived in a few hours.
Thus the bugs crawl into the tobacco and , remain there,
where they are stupefied by its fumes sometimes in ten minutes.
If allowed to remain forty-five minutes, two-thirds at least are
killed. As a matter of fact, where a pile of tobacco dust re-
mained undisturbed around a plant the mortality would be
almost entire, for as soon as stupefied the bugs would remain
in it undisturbed. However theoretically plausible the method
may seem, it will not be practicable in Texas owing to the con-
stant strong winds, which soon scatter the dust. Its action on
the bugs is, however, of interest, and might be put to practical
use in the case of the false chinch bug, which has very similar
habits when working on garden vegetables.
The best means of control for the chinch bug in Texas, and
one which practical farmers have found satisfactory through
their own experiments, is the destruction of all corn and
sorghum stalks or stubble left in the field and the general clean-
ing up of all places favorable for hibernation as far as possible.
Sorghum stubble serins a particularly favored place of hiber-
nators. Especially is this necessary where sorghum and June
corn are grown late in the summer and early fall, thus furnish-
ing abundant succulent food for the later generations, and the
volunteer plants forming food in early spring. Indeed, to
these late fodder plants may be largely attributed the destruc-
tive numbers of the chinch bug in early spring upon young
366 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
corn, and injury seems to be the more general where they are
most grown. The practical control of this pest in Texas offers
one of the most interesting and valuable problems to the
economic entomologist, which must be solved by demonstrat-
ing the general methods of culture which will control the pest
as has been done so effectively with the cotton pests.
Conocephalus lyristes.
BY JAMES A. G. REIIN.
Early in the year 1905 the author described this species on
the basis of a single male individual from Chokoloskee, Mon-
roe County, Fla.* During the summer of 1905 a number of
specimens of this genus came into my hands for study, among
them being six specimens which closely resembled the Florida
form, the type of which was at that time not accessible. In the
meantime, Mr. William T. Davis had published a record of
Conocephalus nebrascensis Bruner, from Lakehurst, N. J., the
determination having been made by Mr. Caudellj and to fully
determine the relationship of the latter species to the indi-
viduals in hand, I secured, through the kindness of Prof.
Bruner, an individual of his species. This, with the type of
lyristes now available, shows my seven specimens to be true
lyristes, which is not closely related to C. nebrascensis, the latter
being a species of no greater size but of a more robust build,
with broader tegmina, wider and more arcuate tympanum, more
expanded caudal section of the pronotum, and deeper lateral
lobes of the same.
The specimens of lyristes mentioned above, in addition to the
type, are as follows :
Ocean City, Worcester County, Md., July 21, 1905. Col-
lected by E. Daecke. i $ , I ? .
Stafford's Forge, Ocean County, N. J., September 16, 1905.
Collected by Morgan Hebard. 3 $ , I $ .
*Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1905, p. 45, pi. I, figs. 8 and 9.
fCanad. Entom., xxxvii, p. 289.
Dec., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
367
Measurements (in mm.) of the specimens examined are as
follows :
fc
J
o
3
O
Q
o
EL
i. .
Ki
,
X
a
M
Eli
G
O ?"
X ^
0 7.
^,
ip
£ "
°2
r -
N
<
M
O f""
~ y
;. .-
- ":
c 7.
h
^ d
y.z
— o
z-w
' -
^
O
i C^
— -~
Q ^
UJ H
:-
H ~"
/.
•"*
— •""
. p^
HH
J
iii
^
z
J
u
^
_
C. nebrascensis Bru-
ner, Moline, l\\.,tf
Conocephalus lyristes
30.5
3-
8.2
5-5
37-2
6-7
21.
Rehn, Chokoloskee,
Fla. (type). <? . .
30.5
3.1
76
4.9
39 2
5.
21.
Ocean City, Md., $
305
2.2*
8.1
4-8
36.2
5-4
21-5
„ o-
Stafford's Forge, New
31-7
3-
7-5
4-5
43-
4-5
22.
Jersey, <$
•J.O s
•3.1
7.7
4 6
AO
e 2
20.8
Stafford's Forge, New
vJ O
o* *-
/ /
tf . V^
o- ^
Jersey, r?
""O ^
•I C
8.
4 8
38. 2
e c
20. 8
Stafford's Forge, New
O' O
*r* u
O-O
Jersey, $
20.
7. 2
8.
4 6
"2Q. 4
S 4
21 S
Stafford's Forge, New
7
o
*T' ^
O T"
O
Jersey, 2 •
28.2
•3 A
6 7
•! 8
42
- y
20 ^
O ^
"• /
o • ^
'
*"w* O
The tympanum of the type of C. lyristes measures 7.5 mm. long
by 4.8 mm. in greatest width ; in the specimen of C. nebras-
censis it is 7 long by 5.6 in greatest width.
PLEASE read the editorial notice in this issue in regard to subscribers.
ON PRONUNCIATION OF ENTOMOLOGICAL NAMES. — i. Has any code
or organization fixed the pronunciation of scientific names, e.g. the
A.O.U. code, or the International Congress of Zoology?
2. How should entomological names be pronounced ? By the rules of
what language? Can anyone reconcile the fact that English-speaking
botanists use the Continental pronunciation and English-speaking ento-
mologists use the American method or a hybrid ?
3. Why do American scientists insist that the English system should be
used, when they are vastly in the minority, when the world's scientists
are concerned.
More in detail: a. when is the penult long, when short? b. is the
antepenult always accented ? c. how should the vowels be pronounced ?
how should ch, ae, cc, j, g ; c followed by a, u, o ; c followed by i, e, y
be pronounced? — ANONYMOUS.
*Not complete.
368
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Dec., '06
Number of Eggs of Samia cecropiat Pulvinaria
innumerabilis, and Culex pipiens.
JOHN J. DAVIS, Urbana, 111.
Samia cecropia Linn.
The following table gives the number of eggs laid by in-
dividual females of Samia cecropia. As is shown in the table
there is a wide range in the number of eggs laid by different
individuals, this varying from 119 to 366, but these are appa-
rently exceptions to the rule as most of the counts range
between two and three hundred. The cecropia cocoons were
kept in the laboratory for part of the winter and for this
reason the dates of emergence are earlier than they would be
normally.
NUMBER.
DATE WHEN FIRST FOUND
MATING.
DATE WHEN EGG-LAYING
BEGAN.
NUMBER OK
EGOS PER
FEMALE.
I
8 A. M., May 10, 1905.
Evening of May 11, 1905.
161
2
* * 1 1 »
«
<
213
3
12 '
13,
t
220
4
i
t ( i
((
<
238
5
<
« « (
t (
t
236
6
«< i
«
t
2O7
7
« <
< (
t
293
8
i> i
t t
f
267
9
14 '
16,
I
355
10
< < t
1 t
I
219
ii
t < t
( .
(
240
12
16 '
17,
*
284
13
(( «
i i
(
239
14
t i (
< (
(
209
15
( t t
« (
'
119
16
i « i
t (
C
238
17
10 A.M., Apr. 17, 19
36.
Apr. 18, ic
O6.
298
18
A.M., " 17, '
« a
f
366
19
10 A.M., " 14, '
" 16,
(
200
20
" 18, '
19-
(
276
Total ...» 4878
Average per female
. 24^.9
Pulvinaria innumerabilis Rath.
In the proceedings of the Davenport Academy of Natural
Sciences, Vol. II., p. 331, Mr. J. D. Putnam says, " The entire
Dec., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
369
number of eggs laid in each nest is rarely if ever less than
500, and must often exceed 2000, though as I have not at-
tempted to count the number in the larger nests this is only
an estimate." * * * " Dr. S. S. Rathvon states, in his paper
in Pennsylvania Farm Journal, 1854, that he counted in one
of these nests 564 living insects and over 300 eggs not hatched. ' '
Mr. S. A. Johnson, in Bulletin 116, of The Colorado Agri.
Exp. Sta., says, "The number as given by the older ento-
mologists is from one to two thousand. These figures are
probably somewhat too large and more recent writers have
reduced the estimate. Cotton mentions from three hundred
to one thousand and Sanders says that the number may reach
fifteen hundred."
The egg masses counted were from individual females and
no choice was made as to the size. They were taken at
random and are examples of the average-sized nests. All
were collected June 19, 1906, at Lincoln Park, Chicago, 111.
The following table shows the number of eggs per nest :
Xr \1BER
I
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
TOTAL
NUMBER
OF EGI.S
PER NEST
3363
3314
3279
3674
3024
2856
3200
3286
3345
376i
34102
Average per nest 3410.2.
Culex pipiens Linn.
The following table shows the number of eggs in single egg
masses of the common house mosquito, Cu/<\\~ pipiens, the
average of the ten masses being 178.4 eggs per mass.
NUMBER
I
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
POTAl
Ni M
en 1
162
228
257
309
1 20
149
121
136
143
159
1784
MASS
Average per mass 178.4.
370 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
Some New or Little-known Genera of Empididae.*
A. L. MELANDER, Pullman, Washington.
In the following pages are noted the occurrence in North
America of several genera of the dipterous family Empidida,
that are not given in our publications. Their publication is
given at the present time in order to explain more fully the
citations that will appear in the forthcoming edition of Dr.
Williston's Manual.
TACHYDROMIIN^.
CHERSODROMIA Walker, f
This genus is known from six European species and one
from Australia. We have one described species in our fauna
that belongs to this genus. It is Stilpon houghii Melander,
placed in Professor Aldrich's Catalogue of the North American
Diptera in the genus Coloboneura.
THINODROMIA gen. nov.
Thinodromia inchoata spec. nov.
Thick-set, black, pruinose, black-bristly little species with dorsal
arista and aborted wings. Eyes deeply emarginate at the antenna?, the
facets uniformly large : face and front of male and female similar, of
equal length and uniform breadth,gray pruinose ;
the hollowed vertex also gray pruinose, with
three large ocelli, and strong ocellar bristles;
occiput gray pruinose, the occipital bristles
moderate ; palpi large, flat, elongate-ovate,
white pruinose, with a few black hairs, over-
lapping the proboscis; proboscis very stout,
pointed, bent back; antennae three-jointed,
though the first joint minute, the third joint
- short-ovate with a long arista arising fnnn
near the middle of its dorsal side, the basal
T/niKiarfiniia mc/ioa/a — a, . .
antenna. joint of the arista short, the outer long and
microscopically plumose.
The pollen covering of the dorsum of the thorax more or less golden;
mesopleura with a polished black area not pruinose ; humeri not con-
stricted; humeral and supra-alar bristles large, acrostichal and dorso-
*Contributions from the Zoological Laboratory of the State Col-
lege of Washington.
t(Ins. Brit. I. xx., p. 137, 1851.)
Dec., *06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 371
central rows small, between the dorsocentrals and the pleura are a few
irregular bristles; scutellum with two long and two outer short bristles;
pleura without bristles.
Abdomen short-cylindrical, but very robust, in the male, the bristles
becoming longer posteriorly, those of the seventh segment nearly as
long as the last four segments; each segment with a single large lateral
pit; hypopygium large, globose, closed, somewhat asymmetrical and
twisted to the right, the small apical organs nearly dorsal, the hypopy-
gium is less pruinose than the anterior portions of the body, posteriorly
with long black bristles.
Legs short, robust, piceous-black, rather closely covered with short
black bristles, those of under side of front femora and of outer apical
side of hind femora more prominent, all the femora moderately thick-
ened, the tarsi somewhat flattened distally.
Wings vestigeal, more or less triangular in outline, horizontally
extended over the abdomen, though reaching only to the third segment,
opalescent gray, a spot including the marginal cell and another around
the posterior cross vein infumated; veins yellowish, costal cell and the
first two basal cells distinct, marginal cell much shortened, humeral
cross vein distinct, no trace of anal veins, costa bristly.
Length, 1.25 to 1.50 mm.
This species was collected in some numbers at Monterey,
California, by Professor J. M. Aldrich, in May of this year.
The flies were running- over the hot dry sands above the sea
beach in company with Paratlialassiiis aldrichi, hereinafter de-
scribed. Professor Aldrich states that the species could be
easily caught by scooping- an individual, sand and all, in one's
hand. The insect would run to the edge of the hand and
could be readily dropped in the collecting bottle. It is rather
strange that the swarms of these two interesting species should
have been overlooked by the previous collectors in that neigh-
borhood.
Professor Mario Bezzi in his paper, "La Riduzione delle Ali
nei Ditteri,": mentions but two species of Empidida- with
shortened wings. Both belong to the same sub-family as the
present form. Tachista niicroptcra Loew lives about stones
in the inland; Chersodromia arcnaria Haliday is from tlir sru-
shore.
*Rendiconti d. R. Inst. Lomb., Vol. xxxiii, 1900.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec.,'o6
SYMBALLOPHTHALMUS Becker.*
But one species, 5\ dissiinilis Fallen from Europe, has been
included in this genus. Elaphropeza inontana Melander is a
slender species much like dissimilis which may well be placed
in the genus Symballophthalmus. There are also certain species
described as Platypalpns, e. g. camts, inops, hians, which agree
better with Symballophthalmus in that they lack the spur of the
middle tibise and have the two basal cells of the wings equal.
It may be stated in this connection that Elaphropesa can be
considered but as a subgenus of Drapers. The type (E.
cphippiata), which is the only European species, and the seven
other species, all exotic, differ from Drapctis only in a com-
parative lengthening of the last antennal joint. Throughout
the western United States we have a very common species of
Drapetis (D. unipila Loew), which naturally shows some varia-
tion. An extreme form, which I reluctantly described as
medetera, for I hesitated a long time before concluding it to
be specifically distinct, has the third antennal joint twice the
normal length. Inasmuch as there are intergrades it is unwise
to give this single character generic value; cf. D. W. Coquil-
lett, Proc. ent. soc. Wash., 1903, p. 265.
PRORATES gen. nov.
Head globular but depressed, the face extremely short. Eyes
contiguous on front in the male, the facets of the upper two-
thirds enlarged: antennae two-jointed, the first joint minute,
the second compressed, conical, without a style or arista: pro-
boscis rigid, shorter than height of head, projecting hori-
zontally forward.
Thorax but little convex, one prealar, one supra-alar, and
two scutellar, but no other bristles present: tegulae minute,
with white cilia. Legs slender, nowhere thickened, devoid of
bristles, pulvilli minute. Abdomen slender; genitalia blunt,
conical, not enlarging the diameter of the abdomen, entirely
included within two lateral valves, no projecting parts.
*Wien. ent. Zeitg., viii, 285, 1889.
Dec., '06J ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 373
\\ings broad, anal angle rectangular, auxiliary vein
ending in the cost a at the middle of the wing, the
costa extends to the third longitudinal vein ; a black ellipti-
cal stigma surrounding the tip of the first vein ; joint origin of
the second and third veins arising nearer the humeral than the
anterior cross vein ; third longitudinal vein furcate before the
middle of the first posterior cell : discal cell pentagonal, emit-
ting two posterior veins of which the anterior is furcate ; none
of the posterior veins attain the wing margin ; all the basal
cells large, the discal cell small ; anal cell longer than the second
basal, its outer angle acute, anal vein reaching the wing
margin.
Prorates claripennis nov. spec.
Male. — Length, 3 mm. — Black over all, dorsum of thorax olivaceous,
with two fuscous vittae, pleura and occiput lightly
cinereous, abdomen not dusted. Occiput and ab-
domen with very fine pale scattered hairs. Legs
entirely black. Wings pure hyaline, the stigma
and veins blackish. Halteres black.
Two males, collected by Mr. H. L/.
Viereck, at Highrolls, New Mexico, June
12 and 13, 1902.
OCYDROMIIN^:.
PARATHALASSIUS Mik.
Prorates ciaripenms-*, The genus Parathdassius was erected by
Professor Joseph Mik* for a small silvery-
gray species collected on the sands near Venice, in May.
The species was found in a search for the Dolichopodid
Epithalassius, but it was not discovered until the col-
lected material was worked over, owing to a remarkable
resemblance between the two species. Only females of the
Empidid were taken, although apparently the species was very
common.
In May of this year Professor J. M. Aldrich chanced on a
similar silvery-gray form sporting on the arid sands at Mon-
terey, California. Although no specimens of the European
*Wiener Entomologische Zeitung, X Jahrg., p. 216, 1891.
374
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Dec., '06
species are at hand for comparison, the agreement of our form
with Professor Mik's description makes us believe the two
forms to be congeneric. Like so many of the other Diptera
living on the sand,* Paraithalassius is conspicuous by its dense
coating of pollen. Even the hairs and bristles are glistening
white, so that the males especially, when viewed from in front,
are ornate with a silvery sheen.
The European species (P. blasigii) possesses several con-
spicuous white hairs on the under side of the hind femora, and
these are lacking in the California form. Moreover, in blasigii
the first posterior cell is narrowed at its apex. Otherwise, our
species tallies well with Mik's description.
Parathalassius aldrichi sp. nov.
Male. — Length, 2.75 mm. — Entirely silvery-gray pruinose, all the
bristles white. Vertex broad, concave, silvery pruinose : ocelli widely
separated ; one pair each of vertical, frontal,
and ocellar bristles ; face very narrow below the
antennae, concave, broadening at the convex
clypeus, closely covered with short silvery-
white pubescence, lower facets of eyes large,
those of the lowermost third concealed by a
dense covering of silvery-white scale-like hairs.
Eyes not at all emarginate at antennas. Antennae
black, three-jointed, though the first two joints
are minute, third joint short-oval, pointed, with
a long terminal bristle-like arista. Occiput sil-
very-gray pruinose, occipital bristles seriately
arranged below, and forming a ciliate fringe
to the eyes. Proboscis and palpi minute,
blackish.
Thorax silvery-gray pruinose, the dorsum with scattered short white
hairs, and with eleven pairs of short achrosticals, six pairs of long
dorsocentrals, three pairs of supra-alar and three long humeral and
posthumeral bristles : scutellum with four marginal bristles, no pleural
bristles.
Abdomen short, witli numerous white hairs, when viewed from abmr
or the right, with hut four visible segments, the second segment longest
and bearing a basal transverse row of black pores. Hypopygium very
large and globular, comparativey bare though pruinose, asymmetrical,
*e. g. Lipocluu'ta, Tliinopliilu, Thcrcra, Stichopogon, etc., and the
Empidid genera Schistostoma, Coloboneura, Halsanalotes, and Chcrso-
dromia.
/'i/i it/fialasM'ns ali/i iclii
and face of male.
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 375
attached to the left side of the body and bent forward and to the right,
thereby crowding the small fifth, sixth and seventh segments to the left
of the median line.
Legs slender, white bristly, middle tibiae with small white apical
spurs, the joints of the middle tarsi with small black apical spurs, under
side of front femora and sides of hind femora ciliate with longer white
bristles ; pulvilli broad, empodium hair-like.
Halteres white. Wings whitish, veins strong, blackish, less dark
basally, base of costa with a few white bristles, third longitudinal vein
simple, four posterior cells, anal cross vein perpendicular to the anal
vein.
Female. — Differs from the male as follows : Facets of eyes uniform,
nowhere concealed by pubescence. Abdomen with five dorsal flattened
segments, its apetf jet black.
Over two dozen specimens of this species were saved by its
collector. The type locality is the dry sands in back of the
beach at Monterey, California. It gives me much pleasure to
be able to dedicate this species to my dear friend and neighbor,
Professor J. M. Aldrich, who discovered this interesting fly,
and to whom we are indebted for a large proportion of what
we know of the species of this family.
Parathalassius candidatus sp. nov.
After the description of Parathalassius was sent to the
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Professor Aldrich discovered among
his collections another specimen of the genus, but which, on
account of its larger size and more bristly appearance, is dis-
tinct from the Californian form. This individual, a female,
was collected at Friday Harbor, San Juan Co., Washington,
during the summer of 1905. Professor Aldrich is its dis-
coverer also.
Female. — Length 3 mm., length of wing 3.25 mm. — This species
differs from the preceding only as follows: Face slightly broader; hairs
of occiput more dense. Dorsum of thorax with two narrow black vittae,
each of which is bounded by rows of bristles, so that there are four
rows of dorsocentrals, with about fourteen bristles to each row.
I'ictween the acrostichal bristles and the humcri is a close aggregation
of short bristles, which are represented in P. aldriclii by a few bristles
only. Scutellum with six marginal bristles. The three black pits along
the lower edge of each abdominal tergite are large and conspicuous.
Ovipositor large, trough-like, exserted backwards from under the last
segment. Bristles of legs stronger, not recumbent but projecting; spurs
376
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Dec., '06
of middle tibiae much reduced; hind metatarsi somewhat compressed;
tarsi entirely black. In aldrichi the base of the metatarsi is somewhat
yellowish. Anal vein three times the length of the anal cross-vein, in
aldrichi it is less than twice as long as the cross-vein.
TOREUS gen. nov.
Male. — Entirely devoid of bristles.
Eyes broadly separated, the lower
facets larger: basal joint of antennae
small, last joint twice as long as the
basal joints together, compressed
conical, rather blunt; the style one-
eighth the length of the third joint.
Proboscis three times the length of the
head, the rigid rostrum three-fifths the
length of the labella: palpi short and
incumbent. The proboscis extends
downward and somewhat forward,
and not backward, in the dried speci-
men.
Thorax entirely without bristles, no
metapleural set^ Abdomen robust,
cylindrical, somewhat depressed apically, consisting of but
six segments, the seventh forming a horizontal inverted
hood-like peduncle to the hypopygium; no pits visible
on any segment : hypopygium consisting of two triangular
chitinous lateral clasping valves, which enclose a pair of upright
decussating flattened filaments ; intromittent organ curved and
pointed, projecting downward from between the bases of the
lateral valves ; arising from the inner base of the hypopygium
are a pair of curved slender diverging filamentous appendages
which project above the height of the hypopygium.
Legs not long, without bristles, but with fine hairs, without
apophyses or thickenings, front metatarsi two-fifths the length
of the hind ones, hind tibiae bent outwardly at their middle,
pulvilli small.
Wings rather broad, anal angle broadly rounded, costa en-
compassing the entire wing, anal vein not or but little continued
Dec., '06]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
377
beyond the anal cell, auxiliary vein straight, vanishing at the
middle of the wing, remaining veins attaining the wing margin,
the two basal cells equal in length, the anterior branch of the
third vein sinuous, rather long, the second submarginal cell
but slightly longer than the first along the costa.
Type: Einpis neomexicana Melander.
ANTHEPISCOPUS Becker.*
Becker has described two European species of Anthepisco-
pus, caclebs and ribcsii, and there is one from New South
Wales (antipodalis Bezzi). We have a species collected at
Seattle, Washington, which agrees with the description and
figure of ribesii, but in the absence of typical specimens for
comparison I hesitate before deciding as to its specific identity.
HESPEREMPIS gen. nov.
Male. — Eyes separated, broadly above and narrowly below
the antennae, the facets uniform in size. Antennae inserted
high, the triangular front therefore short, three-jointed, the
first two joints together as long as the third, the third joint
conical, compressed, with a short two-jointed style. The first
joint of the style is thick, the second very slender. Proboscis
very short, sharp and incurved, as in Hormopeza, etc. Palpi
broad, slightly longer than the proboscis, and recumbent upon
it, the upper surface with a few fine hairs. Ocellar triangle
without bristles, occiput with a few fine short hairs, face bare.
Thorax entirely without bristles, scu-
tellum with six fine marginal hairs, meta-
pleura bare. Abdomen slender, provided
with few fine marginal hairs only; a
transverse series of minute pits present
at the base of the second abdominal seg-
ment: hypopygium terminal, flattened
above, globular otherwise, not enlarged,
entirely enclosed in a pair of convex
mabeiae M&\.— lateral pieces, with no dorsal or terminal
processes. Legs slender, simple, rather
sparsely provided with fine pubescence, but entirely devoid of
bristles ; pulvilli small, empodium microscopic.
*Wien. ent. Zeitg., X., 281, 1891.
378 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
Wings long slender, anal angle obtuse, not prominent, costal
vein encompassing the entire wing, auxiliary vein straight,
vanishing at the middle of the wing, stigmal spot faint, elong-
ate, third vein branched, the anterior branch long, as in Hilara,
discal cell narrow, acuminate apically, second posterior cell
narrowed at the base, the contact of the third and fourth pos-
terior cells with the discal cell equal, anal vein shortened, anal
cross vein recurved and fused with the anal vein.
This description is drawn from an enigmatical little fly de-
scribed as Rhagas mabelae. The insect is evidently an Em-
pidine, but can not be assigned to any genus hitherto described.
Its nearest relatives are Rhagas, Haplomera, Hilarcinpis and
Hilara.
The main characters by which these genera differ from
Hesperempis are herewith given :
Rhagas: Eyes of male contiguous ; body with macrochaetae ;
anal angle of wing rectangular.
Haplomera: Femora thickened ; third antennal joint long
and nearly cylindrical.
Hilarcinpis: Body and legs with macrochaetae ; anterior
branch of third vein short.
Hilara: Auxiliary vein short and bent forward at tip.
In the Transactions of the American Entomological Society
for 1902, page 277, I associated Empis conjnncta Coquillett
with the present species as the American species of the genus
Rhagas Walker. Mr. Coquillett* subsequently assigned
Synamphotera Loew, which is a genus of the sub-family
Hemerodromiinae, as a synonym of Rhagas, and in his table
stated that Rhagas has the anal cross vein perpendicular to the
wing axis. In this he was in error: both forms are valid
genera, in no ways related, for Rhagas is clearly an Empidine.
I have since seen Empis conjnncta. It and Empis triangnla
Coquillett are normal species of the genus Iteaphila.
Through the kindness of Dr. K. Kertesz, of the Hungarian
National Museum, I have been put in possession of both sexes
of Rhagas imica Walker, the type species of the genus. It is
quite a different form from mdbelae. Its salient characteristics
*Proc. Ent. Soc., Wash., 1903, p. 257.
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 379
«
are the following : Wings broad, anal angle strongly rectangu-
lar. Eyes of male contiguous. Arista, nearly one-half the
length of the third antennal joint, its basal segment much
thickened and many times longer than the minute, bristle-like
apical portion. Dorsum of thorax with the usual rows of small
but distinct macrochaetse ; those of the scutellar margin larger
and six in number. Hypopygium terminal, small, but open,
consisting of a pair of lateral slender curved and pointed valves,
surrounding the sharp penis, and a basal dorsal pair of erect
prongs, like those of Iteaphlla, etc.
A new variety of Papilio rutulus Boisd.
. BY HENRY SKINNER.
Papilio rutulus arcticus.
Smaller than rutulus, expanding from the centre of the thorax to the
tip of the primary wing 43 mm. Orange spot at angle of secondaries
large and distinct, generally absent in rutnlus. Marginal lunules of sec-
ondaries wider and not so elongate as in rutulus. Blue bands of second-
aries below narrower and more distinct. Marginal lunules of secondar-
ies below orange, an orange wash running to the cell.
Described from six males and one female. Five males and
one female from Eagle City, Alaska, June ist to i5th. One
male from Athabasca River, Canada.
A New Syntomeida.
BY HENRY SKINNER.
S. befana n. sp.
Antenna? blue-black, outer third edged with white. Head and thorax
blue-black ; vertex of head with metallic-blue patch ; tegukt- and patagia
orange-yellow, edged with black ; fore coxae orange ; legs blue-black,
with tarsi streaked with white ; abdomen black and metallic-blue ; oval,
orange subdorsal patches on the second to the last segment, those on
first segment being quadrate ; on abdomen below are orange bands on
segments three to six. Forewing with an orange patch in and below
middle of cell and a patch beyond the cell. Hindwing with a basal
orange patch and a round patch in centre of wing.
From one specimen taken by Prof. F. H. Snow in the Babo-
quivari Mountains, Arizona. The species is related to joc/a
Druce.
38o
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Dec., '06
The Song of the Mosquito.
BY SAMUEL E. WEBER.
When we know the voice and song of the birds we are en-
abled to distinguish the particular species whose song we may
hear without seeing it. Likewise in entomology, insects need
not be seen to know their species if one knows their voice and
song.
Most species which we have studied may be known psycho-
logically by their song, their movements and physical expres-
sion. Insect sound is in large measure as true to structure as
is physical expression in various other forms of animal life.
As an example in physical expression and structure, take
the larva of the Anopheles mosquito which has been designated
as " a lazy larva." Some
of their slow movements
on the surface of the
water are apparently
caused by the arrange-
ment of the mechanical
structure which retains
them there. When the
larva turns its head to
the caudal extremity to
remove foreign particles
which have collected
about the air-tube, it
does the act as gingerly
as though it were afraid
its body might break in
twain. The reason for
the slow turning is ex-
plained by its attach-
ment to the waterfilm
through the means of fan-like bodies on the dorsum of the
abdomen. These organs after piercing the waterfilm open out
forming a palmate clinch by means of which the larva is re-
tained at the surface. The slow movement is necessary so it
Anopheles maculipennis Meig.
Aui>f>ln-li's J>it>icti/H'niiis Say.
Cnli-x canadcnsis Theob.
Culc.v pi/'it'iis Linn.
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 381
may retain its hold in the act of arranging the toilet at its
caudal end. If the turning or any other larval movements
are made too quickly the hold is lost and the larva will sink.
By the expression of sound, studied at the keyboard, I have
determined, without seeing them, some of the more important
species of mosquitoes by their song or note. These observa-
tions were made in the eastern section of Pennsylvania.
The note of Anopheles maculipcnnis (Meig.) is D, virtually
the first degree to the right of middle C, on the keyboard,
which is one octave lower than the notes on Staff No. i.
When confined in a bottle and darting against the glass it will
sing a note higher, and when alighting on the glass to rest, it
will do so, at a staccato stop at one degree below. It seems
to produce the same song in distress as in pleasure, for the
same may be heard in confinement, as that when about to
fathom one's blood. The ordinary hum of this species may
be expressed by the thirty-second notes on Staff i. The
second part of the song may be termed as one of condition
(in distinction from the love songs of insects), since the eight
note at E, is sung only when darting against any object such
as the glass mentioned or a person's neck or face. The part
indicated by the eight notes may be continued much longer
than the time here represented, and the finale or sudden stop
when alighting is expressed by the staccato thirty-second note
at the end of Staff i.
The note of Anopheles punctipennis (Say) is B, virtually the
first to the left of middle C, on the keyboard, as indicated by
Staff 2, written in the F clef.
Staff 3 in the treble clef indicates the note of Culicada
{Culex} canadcnsis (Theo.). The smaller variety, the most
common, sing high C. Some of the larger forms of this
species sing from F to F sharp and to G sharp. When the
range of the note, in the same species, varies as is shown on
this staff, then intonation or the peculiarity of voice plays the
part of differentiation. This must be admitted, however, as
a high state of the perceptive powers of man, which is pos-
sessed by very few persons. In the range of sound produced
by the various species from the giant ctilicid Fsorophom ciliata
382 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
to the smaller species approaching high C we have some species
which come close to one another in their note when heard
flying close to the ear. C. cauadensis and C. sollicitans in
some instances come closely, but the latter may be easily
distinguished by its peculiar beautiful quality of tone.
Culex pipiens (Linn.) (No. 4) sings in F, as a rule, but
some specimens may vary a note higher or lower and may
then be distinguished by the same method mentioned. While
these observations may not be of any practical value they are
nevertheless of interest in a certain direction. The trained
ear at least may distinguish the more dangerous species of
mosquitoes from the harmless by their notes.
The Method of Feeding in Leptoglossus.
BY A. ARSENE GIRAULT.
The following- observations on the feeding-habit of Lepto-
i^lossns pliyJJopus Linnaeus appear to be worthy of publication :
On the morning- of July iQth, 1906, at Myrtle, Ga., while
examining some clusters of Niagara grapes, attention was at-
tracted to an adult male of this species, clinging to some of the
nearly ripe fruit. It had apparently just finished feeding, but
closer notice showed that it was just on the point of making
a puncture. The insect was clinging head toward the ground,
and for ten or fifteen seconds examined the surface of the
fruit with the tip of the rostrum, with rapid, nervous move-
ments. Locating a suitable spot, the movements of the ros-
trum stopped, and it was then applied and straightened, neces-
sarily causing an upward inclination of the bodv. Pressure was
then brought to bear, and the rostrum was pushed into the fruit
for a distance of about one-half the length of the distal joint
of the labium. When about this far in, the labium commenced
to bend caudad at the first articulation, exposing basal por-
tions of the inclosed setae, the mandibles and maxillae. Pres-
sure was continued, and the body was gradually brought back-
ward and downward, causing the bending of the labium to in-
crease, until its basal joint became applied to the ventum of
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 383
thorax, followed by the second joint, which was applied to the
first. The labiitm was then released from the puncture, by
further backward movements of the body, straightened, and
borne in its natural position along the venter. This left the
long, slender mandibles about one-third their length within
the fruit. Pressure was again brought to bear as at first, and
the ever-bending setae were pushed in quite rapidly for over
half their length, when they suddenly stopped, as if by some
obstruction, were partly redrawn, and again inserted for the
same distance. This was repeated several times before a
cause for such actions presented itself. After the fifth attempt
to push the mandibles within for most of their length, it was
noticed that the much shorter maxillae, closely applied to the
mandibles so as to be inconspicuous, struck the surface of the
fruit, whenever the setae were inserted for more than half their
length, and stopped further insertion. Each time that the
progress of insertion was thus stopped the mandibles were
slightly, redrawn, or sometimes nearly entirely so, and then
reinserted until again stopped by the catching of the maxillae.
These movements were repeated twelve or more times, and
then the attempt abandoned. Upon withdrawing the mandibles,
the labium was raised and the seta? replaced within it by means
of the aid of one or both of the fore tarsi.
These actions in feeding were repeated three times in suc-
cession on the same fruit. At the end of the second attempt
the wound made by the setae exuded a drop of clear fluid, and
through this the insect attempted to reinsert the rostrum into
that same wound ; the fluid, however, interfered to such an ex-
tent as to cause an abandonment of the attempt.
This method of feeding, having the setae entirely free, is dif-
ferent from any hitherto observed by the writer in the Heterop-
tera. To what extent feeding is interrupted by the apparent
frequent inability to insert the maxillae is not known.
The feeding-habit described in foregoing is also present in
Anasa tristis DeGeer, as found by observations made on the
nymphs feeding on grass in a squash patch. The method of
insertion is almost identically the same, though the movements
are much quicker.
384 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec. , '06
New North American Heteroptera.
BY E. P. VAN DUZEE, Buffalo, N. Y.
The species described below have come into my hands for
study from collectors in various parts of the country during
the past five years. It is often annoying and undesirable to
have species sent out under MS. names, especially if the pub-
lication of the descriptions is long delayed, and this is my ex~
cuse for the perpetration of a fragmentary paper such as this.
All of these are interesting additions to our fauna, and in each
case were received from well known and experienced students
of our insects.
Narnia snowi n. sp.
Broader and less narrowed posteriorly than feinorata and its allies.
Pale ferruginous testaceous ; head, front of the prothorax, deflected base
of the pronotum, scutellum, elytra, pectus, meso- and metapleura and
the dilatation of the posterior tibiae black or dark fuscous. Head with
the apex and a longitudinal line each side both above and below the base
of the antennae ferruginous. Prothorax and pale hind margin of the
metapleura coarsely, the scutellum and hemelytra finely and closely
punctured ; extreme tip of the scutellum and costa of the elytra ferrugin-
ous, the middle of the corium with a transverse linear white band, not
attaining the costal margin. Hind femora becoming piceous toward the
apex, the spines and tubercules black ; dilatation of the hind tibiae rather
broad, inner margin about twice the width of the outer and marked with
a white sub-basal spot, the edge beyond the middle and along the undi-
lated apical one-third sparsely spinose. Venter more or less mottled and
infuscated, with a strong sulcus reaching the apex of the 5th segment.
Rostrum passing the middle of the fourth ventral segment, blackish, with
the basal joint pale. Antennae substantially as in femorata. Length
16 mm.
Described from one female specimen received from Prof. F. H.
Snow and captured by him at Douglas, Arizona, in August.
I have before me three male and two female examples of a
Narnia that I take to be femorata. In these, however, the
basal joint of the antennas is scarcely darker than the others,
the humeral angles are not ' ' acute ' ' although more prominent
than in the allied forms, and the transverse white vitta on the
corium is indicated only by an obscure band of white hairs that
may be almost obsolete in some examples ; the form of the dila-
tation of the hind tibiae is, however, exactly as described by
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 385
Stal, and for the present I prefer to place it as the northern
form of his species. Two of my specimens were taken at
Tucson, Arizona, by Prof. E. B. Wilson, two were captured in
Yuma Co., Arizona, by Prof. Snow in June, and one was taken
at Congress Junction, Arizona, in July by Prof. Snow. Prof.
Wilson has also sent me two examples of a smaller paler species
from La Jolla, California, that I place as Stal's pallidicornis.
They answer to his description in everything except that the
head is almost entirely black and the rostrum is longer, attain-
ing the apex of the fifth segment. This species has the apical
notch of the male genital segment deeper and narrower than
infemorata.
Narnia wilsoni n. sp.
Deep piceous black ; lower surface of the head, antennae, base of the
rostrum, bucculse and legs bright ferruginous ; abdomen testaceous ; ex-
treme tip of the scutellurn and a transverse linear band on the middle of
the corium, not attaining the costa, white. Antennae shorter and thicker
than in any of our other described species, the basal joint scarcely sur-
passing the apex of the head. Pronotum and scutellum closely punctate.
Elytra deep velvety black, with the costa slenderly pale ; membrane fus-
cous black, the nervures undulating and here and there anastomosing.
Hind legs piceous-black, becoming ferruginous on the base and outer
side of the femora and knees ; simple apex of the tibiae and the tarsi
bright ferruginous, tibial dilatation about as in snout, almost linear with-
out, within about twice wider, with a few strong teeth from near the base
to the apex of the tibia, and showing no indication of the white mark
found in our other species. Rostrum short, scarcely surpassing the base
of the fourth ventral segment. Venter covered with a white mealy pubes-
cence which omits the rather broad median sulcus. Length 12 mm.
Described from two female examples taken at La Jolla,
California, in August, by Prof. E. B. Wilson.
This is a very distinct and striking species. With snoici it
forms a group for which I would suggest the subgeneric name
of Xcrocoris, which with the study of more extensive material
may be raised to generic value. It may be characterized by a
broader form, wider connexivum, more strong!}' depressed pos-
terior margin of the prouotum, a proportionately shorter head,
shorter and stouter antennae, a shorter rostrum and a different
vestiture. In both these species the disk of the pronotmn is
flatter with a distinct median carina which is scarcely indicated
386 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
in Narnia proper, and the lateral margins are much more dis-
tinctly carinated, the surface of the body, also, is not covered
with a close grayish mottled pubescence, as in femomta and
pallidicornis , but the head, pronotum, antennae and legs are
well covered with stiff blackish hairs that become concolorous
on the pale disk of the pronotum in snowi.
The shorter basal and fourth joints of the antennae and the
less dilated hind tibiae seem to be the best characters for sepa-
rating Narnia from Leptoglossus. The length of the rostrum
is variable, and while distinctly longer in Narnia proper, in
Xerocoris it is scarcely longer than in Leptoglossus. In Narnia
proper the vestiture is quite distinct.
Alydus setosus n. sp.
Allied to eurinus in form but pale greyish, marked with fuscous some-
what as in Stachyocnemis apicalis. Whole body except the elytra clothed
with scattering black setse and in places with a matted greyish pubes-
cence. Postocular portion of the head longer and more narrowed pos-
teriorly and the vertex more convex than in eurinus. Apical joint of the
antennae strongly thickened hardly as long as the two preceding united.
Pronotum a little narrower anteriorly than in eurinus, the latero-posterior
margins broadly depressed and a little reflexed. Rostrum attaining the
intermediate coxae. Posterior femora longer and stouter than in enrinus
with from three to five long teeth and several smaller ones near the apex.
Posterior coxae placed farther apart than in eurinus. Claspers of the
male approximate, thick, spindle-shaped, their divergent apices some-
what flattened and obtusely pointed.
Color testaceous grey. Head paler beneath ; the gula, a broad vitta
on each side beneath the antennae, and a still broader dorsal vitta black-
ish, the latter narrowed and intensified on the base of the head and
bisected by a median longitudinal pale line. Antennae pale brownish,
apical joint a little darker, the outside of the basal joint with a dark line ;
all but the apical joint black-setose. Pronotum with a broad blackish
median ray which becomes evanescent posteriorly and is bisected by a
conspicuous whitish median line ; pale areas with scattering fuscous
punctures. In some examples there is a faint blackish submarginal ray
anteriorly. Scutellum a little dusky on the sides and base and with a
pale median line continuing the white calloused and slender apex. Elytra
punctured with pale brown, especially toward their inner margin and apex,
their extreme tip and the inner field blackish ; nervures pale ; apical
margin narrowly white and calloused. Membrane brownish pellucid with
the nervures but little branched. Beneath paler, sternum and a double
lateral vitta on the pleural pieces fuscous, venter dusky on the base and
sides, separated by a lateral pale vitta, edge of the connexivum and pos-
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 387
terior margin of the ventral segments more or less broadly pale ; stigmata,
disk of the genital pieces of the female, and the latero-apical margin of
the pygofers of the male black. Claspers of the male whitish. Legs
dotted and more or less clouded on the femora with fuscous, clothed with
stiff black hairs ; femoral spines black.
Described from four examples taken by Prof. F. H. Snow on
the Baboquivari Mountains, Arizona, one male taken in Gal-
latin Co., Montana, at an elevation of 7500 feet, by M. R.
Benton and kindly sent to me by Prof. R. A. Cooley, and one
female taken in Big Canon, Davis Co., Utah, in August by
Mr. G. W. Browning. The two latter specimens are darker
in their general color with the elytra quite uniformly punctured
with fuscous and the pale rays on the base of the vertex and
anterior margin of the pronotum tinged with pink. All these
specimens show a row of black or piceous polished spots on
either side of the venter beneath the stigmata. This strongly
marked species exhibits a certain transition toward genus
Stachyocnemis. It has the color markings of the latter genus
and the form and proportions of the former, but the form of
the apical joint of the antennae and the spacing of the posterior
coxae approach that found in Stachyocnemis. The thick ap-
proximate claspers of the male will distinguish this form from
any previously-described North American species.
Jalysus wickhami n. sp.
Closely allied to spinosus Say, but smaller and more slender with the
second joint of the antennae and the basal joint of the rostrum propor-
tionately shorter. Color fulvo-testaceous, paler on the elytra, base of the
legs and pronotal carinse. Eyes, fourth antennal joint, extreme tip of the
corium, apex of the tibice, the tarsi except at base and the rostrum toward
its apex, black ; venter rufo-testaceous, sternum obscured or brownish.
Metapleural and scutellar spines distinctly shorter than in spitiustis ; pos-
terior lobe of the pronotum strongly punctured, the sides and middle line
distinctly carinate, the lateral carinte continued almost to the humeral
angles, not strongly abbreviated as is usually the case in sphiosus ; apex
ot the fourth antennal joint white. Length 6-6)4 mm.
Described from two males taken by Prof. H. F. Wickham at
an altitude of over 7000 feet on the Inyo Mountains, California,
in July, and one female taken at Tucson, Arizona, by Prof. F.
H. Snow.
This species might readily be mistaken for our common
388 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., 'c6
spinosus. It may most readily be distinguished by its slighter
form, shorter second antennal joint, the more distinct lateral
carinae of the pronotum and the less conspicuous metapleural
spines. In this species there is an obvious elongated callous
above the eyes and anterior to the ocelli, which is much less
conspicuous in spinosus.
Peritrechus tristis n. sp.
Form of fraternus but smaller, black, opaque, scarcely covered with
minute golden pubescence which is much longer and closer on the venter.
Vertex, pronotum and scutellum coarsely punctate. Pronotum a little
wider before than in fraternus, the sides more nearly parallel ; posterior
lobe but very feebly depressed and more closely punctured than the an-
terior, very obscurely touched with castaneous, particularly near the hind
edge. Scutellum obscurely bordered with castaneous posteriorly. Elytra
testaceous brown or blackish, the nervures pale. There is a smooth
whitish spot near the inner angle and about three irregular ones in a lon-
gitudinal row exterjor to this. Membrane blackish, nervures and a spot
at base, more or less distinct, pale. Beneath black touched with testa-
ceous next the coxae. Throat and pleural pieces opaque, coarsely punc-
tate ; hind edge of the metapleura and the venter impunctate, the latter
polished and golden pubescent. Legs piceous black, polished, paler on
the tibise and tarsi ; knees and base of the femora testaceous. Antennas
fuscous, hairy ; basal joint a little exceeding the apex of the head, second
longest, third shorter than the fourth but considerably longer than the
first. Rostrum reaching to the intermediate coxae, piceous, paler on the
second joint and tip of the first.
Described from six specimens collected about Victoria and
Wellington, Vancouver Island, by Rev. Geo. W. Taylor during
March, April and October. This is a smaller and darker spe-
cies than our eastern fraternus, the elytra are darker and more
mottled, and the posterior lobe of the pronotum is not pale as
in that species. The European Sty gnus arenarius bears a close
resemblance to the present species but is only about one half
its size.
Eremocoris obscurus n. sp.
Allied \.oferus but darker in color with the pronotum a little wider pos-
teriorly and the abdomen proportionately broader behind the middle.
Color black, opaque, head finely chagrined, tip of the tylus tinged with
castaneous. Antennae piceous black, the incisures pale, basal joint
shortest, second a little longer than either of the others which are sub-
equal. Rostrum testaceous, basal joint piceous reaching almost to the
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 389
base of the head, second longest reaching the anterior coxa.% third attain-
ing the intermediate coxae. Pronotum, anterior lobe a little more convex
than inferus, feebly impressed on the middle with a few minute scattering
punctures ; posterior lobe narrow, coarsely punctured, but feebly differ-
entiated from the anterior lobe. Scutellum coarsely punctured, depressed
anteriorly and posteriorly with a feeble longitudinal carina. Elytra
blackish fuscous inclined to castaneous on the clavus and disk of the
corium posteriorly ; basal third of the corium testaceous ; this pale color
shows a tendency to invade the outer margin of the clavus and extends
more or less obviously along the costa. Membrane black, when fully
developed attaining the tip of the abdomen, and marked with a small
pale spot at the basal and each lateral angle, the nervures distinct but
scarcely paler as vnferus. Beneath black marked with castaneous against
the coxae. Legs piceous black, polished, becoming paler on the tibice,
tarsi and base of the femora ; the anterior femora have two large and
several minute teeth beneath ; intermediate and posterior femora a little
more thickened than \njerus. In the male the colors are somewhat paler
than in the female. Length 6-6,!^ mm.
Described from one male and two female examples taken at
Wellington, Vancouver Island, during March and April by
Rev. Geo. W. Taylor, an enthusiastic and successful collector
from whom I have received some interesting Hemiptera. In
this species the pronotuin is wider on the anterior lobe than in
f<'i'i< s, the abdomen is proportionately broader behind the middle,
the intermediate and posterior femora are thicker, and in the
specimens before me the bod}- wants the cilise of soft hairs that
are present in that species.
Xestocoris n. gen.
Ovate oblong, widest across the apex of the clavus ; polished. Head
about two-thirds the length of the pronotum, subcylindric, horizontal,
triangularly narrowed before ; clypeus prominent ; bucculae but little
elevated, forming a distinct lobe either side of the base of the rostrum.
Ocelli placed much nearer to the eyes than to the middle line of the
vertex. Rostrum passing the intermediate coxte, first joint reaching the
base of the head, second distinctly longer than the third, fourth shortest.
Antennae stout, first joint surpassing the apex of the head by about one-
half its length, second and fourth subequal, third shortest. Pronotum
broad, length to humeral width as about 5:8, sides feebly carinate, dis-
tinctly rounded to the head anteriorly, transverse impression feeble,
placed close to the posterior margin, the humeri prominent and angular.
Scutellum depressed, to the level of the clavus. Clavus triseriate punc-
tate. Third ventral suture strongly curved forward. Stigmata of the
apical segments minute, placed at about their middle. Sides of the fourth
390 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
ventral segment with three small opaque spots two of which are approxi-
mate and placed anteriorly. Anterior femora incrassated, armed with
about four minute teeth one of which is longer and stouter.
In Stal's synopsis of the extra-European genera of the
Leth(eria, to which subfamily this genus pertains, it would run
nearest to section " 14 (n) " but it is quite distinct from the
African genus Androg&us there defined. I can find no
European genus in which it can be placed.
Xestocoris uitens n. sp.
Piceous black, highly polished ; above long setose ; basal two joints of
the antennae, rostrum, clypeus, anterior and posterior margins and very
slender lateral carinae of the pronotum, clavus, corium, legs, and apex of
• the abdomen, testaceous or rufo-testaceous ; coxae and narrow margins
of the pleural pieces more or less rufous. Humeri prominent, rectan-
gular, pale. Head and anterior lobe of the pronotum impunctate, the
narrow hind margin of the pronotum, the scutellum, and the elytra with
coarse scattering punctures which form a single line on either margin of
the scutellum, three on the clavus, and about three imperfect rows on the
disk of the corium and one on the inner edge of the broad costal area.
Membrane short, the nervures nearly obsolete. Venter piceous or black.
Eyes rufous. In the specimens before me there are a few coarse punc-
tures close to the anterior margin of the pronotum and a little group near
the centre of its disk, and in some the disk of the corium is embrowned.
By oblique light and under a lense the dark surfaces exhibit very beautiful
metallic blue reflections. Length 3-3^ mm.
Described from nine examples representing both sexes.
Eight of these were taken by me at Golden, near Buffalo, New
York, in August ; the other specimen was taken by Mr. Philip
Fischer at Buffalo in March.
Reduvius (Opsicoetus) senilis n. sp.
Much smaller and paler in color than personatus. Pale testaceous brown
inclining to piceous on the head, pronotum and scutellum ; hemelytra
clouded with brown with an indefinite spot behind the scutellum, the base
of the costa and the apex of the corium whitish ; whole surface covered
with rather long hairs. Head more tumid behind the eyes, a little nar-
rower and more deflexed before the eyes than in personatus ; eyes and
vertex about the ocelli black ; anterior lobe of the pronotum strongly
convex and polished, with a deep median sulcus ; posterior lobe rather
strongly rastrate-punctate, the collar of the anterior lobe shorter than in
personatus. Scutellum shorter with the apical spine less developed than
in the allied species. Beneath paler with the sides and apex of the venter
in some individuals suffused with blackish ; the metapleura and venter
Dec., *06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 391
sharply keeled through their whole length, the extreme edge of this keel
piceous. Length 10 mm.
Described from three specimens taken by Prof. F. H. Snow
in the Baboquivari Mountains, Arizona.
Rcduvhts personatus, the so-called "kissing- bug," is the only
species of this large genus heretofore recorded from America.
Most of the known species have their home in the palaearctic
region but a few are found in the tropical portions of Asia and
Africa. The species here described is but one of the interest-
ing Hemiptera discovered by Prof. Snow in his entomological
explorations in the far southwest.
A New Cuterebra from Nebraska.
By PAUL R. JONES, Lincoln, Neb.
While on a collecting expedition near Glen, Sioux County,
Nebraska, during the summer of 1906, two specimens of Cute-
rebra were captured by Mr. Harry S. Smith. In determining
them one was found to be C. tenebrosa Coquillett, and the other
appeared to be new, the description of which is submitted below.
Cuterebra cyanella n. sp. ? . Head black, front at narrow-
est point seven times as wide as the distance between the two
posterior ocelli. Front on each side provided with two small,
yellowish-gray triangular spots, one on the inner margin of
the eye, and the other between it and the base of the antennae.
In addition to these there is another pollinose spot of similar
size on the eye-margin of the face just below the lateral one
of the front. Face black, sub-shining, destitute of pollen ex-
cept for the spot mentioned, and a faint crescent-shaped mark
on the lateral edges of the antennary pit. Antennary pit
black, shining, pollinose behind the antenna. Antennae black,
third joint pollinose. Arista longer than the antennae, loosely
plumose, black at the base, yellow at apex. Thorax black,
with a slight bluish cast, sub-shining, covered with fine black
hairs, pleura with longer hair of similar color, and destitute
of any oblique tuft of yellow pile in front of the base of the
wings. Scutellum of same color, but the hair longer than
that of the thorax. Abdomen shining steel-blue, anterior lat-
eral margin of third, fourth and fifth segments pollinose be-
392 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
coming greater in width until the whole venter is pollinose.
Band of the third overlaps the posterior margin of the second
segment underneath. Legs black, on the outer part of the
basal half of the hind femora, and of all the tibiae gray polli-
nose. Hair everywhere black. Halteres and calypteres dark
brown, wings light brown, veins at base tinged with yellow.
Length of the body 17.5 mm. Length of wings 14.5 mm.
Width of head 7 mm. Width of front at vertex 2^3 mm.
This species belongs to the fontinella group, and is closely
allied to C. similis Johnson, C. atrox Clark, and C. tenebrosa
Coquillett. It differs from C. similis Johnson, and C. atrox
Clark in not having the oblique tuft of yellow pile in front of
the wings, and the face is without the two large pollinose spots
at the lower margin of the eye. It can be separated from C.
tenebrosa Coquillett by the pollinosity of the abdomen, and th^
fissure on each side of the antennary pit being narrower and
more shallow than in C. tenebrosa.
Mr. Swenk's table of the genus Cutercbra, which appeared
in The Journal of the New York Entomological Society, pages
181-185, December, 1905, may be amended to read as follows :
5. Pleura mostly yellow or white 6.
5. Pleura wholly black or at most with a small tuft of yellow pile in
front of the base of wing 15.
********.*****-*
15. Pleura with a tuft of yellow pile in front of the base of wings ; lower
margin of the eye with two large pollinose spots 16.
15. Pleura without such tuft of pile, lower margin of eye without the
large pollinose spots 17.
16. Last abdominal segment more or less pollinose (Mexico).
(terrisona Walker) atrox Clark.
16. Last abdominal segment entirely steel blue, not pollinose (N. M.).
similis Johnson
17. Abdomen destitute of pollen (Cal., Ore., Col., Wyo., S. D., Nebr.).
tenebrosa Coq.
17. Abdominal segments f pollinose ventrally and laterally (Northwest
Nebr. ) cyanella Jones.
A CORRECTION. — Dr. Dyar has kindly called my attention to the fact
that the insect I described in the October NEWS as Monolenca spadicis is
the same as his Euclea dolliana (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., xxix, 369, 1906).—
JOHN A. GROSSBECK.
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 393
A new Platycerus, and a new Pleocoma.
BY H. C. FALL, Pasadena, Cal.
The following fine species of Platycerus and Pleocoma are
somewhat recent discoveries of Mr. Ralph Hopping, of
Kaweah, California. They are quite distinct from all pre-
viously-described forms as will be seen from the following
descriptions and comparisons :
Platycerus opacus n. sp.
Male. — Moderately convex, black, entire surface finely alutaceous and
dull, the head and prothorax a little less so than the elytra. Scape o*
antennce very nearly twice as long as the funicle, the latter 73 as long as
the club ; first funicular joint as long as the next two, sixth slightly acutely
produced inward ; first two joints of club subequal and about twice as
wide as long, last joint pearly as long as wide. Mandibles small. Head
coarsely densely punctured and sparsely hairy. Prothorax yz wider than
long, widest at or just before the basal third, where it is strongly rounded
but not angulate ; sides feebly arcuate and strongly convergent anteriorly,
still more rapidly converging to the deep sinuation before the basal angles,
which are sharply defined, a little acute and everted ; surface densely but
not coarsely punctate laterally, less densely but still closely and a little
irregularly toward the middle, a narrow median incomplete impunctate
line ; lateral margin flattened at the point of greatest width, narrowing
before and behind. Elytra very little wider than, and not quite twice as
long as the prothorax, i% times as long as wide, subparallel, striae repre-
sented by unimpressed series of very fine punctures, which are scarcely
distinguishable from those of the intervals and are in great part confused
with them. Legs rather slender, the hind tarsi about f as long as the
tibiae.
Female. — Large and more convex than the male, the elytra a little
more arcuate at sides ; antennal funicle very slightly shorter than the
club, the first two joints of the latter more strongly transverse ; hind
tarsi l/z the length of the tibiae.
Length ^, 8.5-10 mm.; 9, 10.5-12.5 mm. Width rf, 3.5-4.1 mm.;
9, 4 8-5. 5 mm.
Described from a series of 4^'s and 3 9 's taken by Mr.
Hopping at Clear Creek (June 5-12) and South Fork of
Kaweah River (Jan. 28-30), California. 'Both these locali-
ties"— writes Mr. Hopping — "are in the Sequoia National
Park, and the beetles occur in the Black Oak or Upper Cha-
parral belt, at an elevation of 4000 to 5000 feet, and so far
have only been found by digging, or where earth was being
removed from the upper roadbank."
394 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
Opacus is to be associated with thoracmis Csy. and latus Fall,
by its form and tarsal structure, but is very different from
either in its subopaque surface and fine sculpture.
Pleocoma hoppingi n. sp.
Male. — Oblong oval, sides of elytra nearly parallel, color above and
beneath bright reddish brown, shining, head prothorax and underbody
densely clothed with long fulvous hair. Antennae very nearly as in hirti-
collis, clypeal horn deeply triangularly notched, lateral ante-ocular pro-
cesses subquadrate, their outer edge parallel with the axis of the body
(triangular in hirticollis, the external edge strongly oblique) ; vertical
horn emarginate at tip. Prothorax not quite twice as wide as long, hind
angles obtuse but fairly distinct, sides before them very slightly convergent
and just perceptibly sinuate, then rounded and strongly convergent to
apex ; basal margin evenly arcuate from side to side ; disk evenly con-
vex, only slightly flattened anteriorly, surface rather densely coarsely
punctate at the middle in front, less densely and somewhat more finely
at sides and posteriorly, a small subimpunctate area each side of the
middle of the disk. Elytra barely i as wide as long, sutural stria deep,
geminate strias feeble, punctuation fine and sparse, sides almost smooth.
The female differs as usual in its larger size and stouter form which is
wider behind ; the prothorax is glabrous and nearly uniformly punctate
throughout ; the elytra are more closely and strongly punctate than in
the male, being virtually as closely and strongly so as the prothorax ; the
clypeal notch is small, the sides obtusely rounded ; the ante-ocular
processes formed as in the male.
Length J1, 23-26 mm. ; 9.3° mm- Width tf, 13-14 mm. ; 9 20 mm.
Described from a series taken by Mr. Ralph Hopping on the
South Fork of the Kaweah River, Cal., and bearing dates
Jan. 25 and Feb. 4.
Because of its octo-lamellate antennae, and closely punctate
and hairy prothorax, this species is comparable only with
hirticollis. The latter, as we understand, is a distinctly smaller
and stouter species, the male always black or nearly so when
mature, the hair of a paler yellow, prothorax declivous and
plainly flattened in front, the posterior margin bisinuate, the
elytra more strongly punctured. There are some discrepancies
between the original description of Schaufuss and the later
ones of LeConte and Horn, and there is* therefore a possibility
that our interpretation of hirticollis is erroneous. In Schau-
fuss's description the prothorax is said to be almost three
times as wide as long, while Horn says " more than twice as
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 395
wide as long." As a matter of fact the width is barely twice
the length in both hirticollis and hoppingi, and it is probable
that both authors have given the relative dimensions from a
vertical view point, in which case there would be considerable
fore-shortening. I take pleasure in dedicating this fine species
to friend Hopping, whose explorations in the Californian
Sierras have brought to light not a few new and interesting
species.
— • • « —
Notes on Moths.
BY CAROLINE GRAY SOULE.
At one time there was some Discussion of the cause of dif-
ference in the forms of cocoons of Attacus cecropia, and some
very positive statement that the baggy cocoon was always
found low on the shrub or tree and in damp lowland places.
Last September I found three huge cecropia larvae feeding on
red-berried elder by the roadside, in a dry, sunny place. They
were so large that I took them, put them in a large box with
twigs fastened vertically and horizontally, and the larvae spun
the next day.
One made a normal, slender cocoon on a horizontal twig :
another made a very baggy cocoon on a vertical twig ; the
third made a rather baggy one, of a green color except on one
side where the normal brown predominated. This cocoon was
on a horizontal twig, and against the side of the box.
On June gth were laid eggs of Hemileuca budleyitrom moths
descended from two pairs of moths received in 1903.
Their egg-period was 36 days ; ist stage, 7 days ; 2d stage,
5 days; 3rd stage, 8 days; 4th stage, 7 days; 5th stage, 10
days ; 6th stage, 10 days ; 7th stage, 16 days, making 63 days
from egg to cocoon, and a sixth moult, which had not occurred
in any former brood. Although " bred in " for three genera-
tions they were very large, fine specimens, but very slow in all
their stages. One correspondent, to whom I had sent eggs,
wrote that his brood left the wild cherry tree on which he had
placed them, and marched eight or ten feet to a small apple
tree where he found them feeding and thriving.
396 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
Two 9 Samia cynthia moths mated with $ A. promethea,
and both sets of eggs hatched. The larvae throve on wild
cherry, preferring it to any of the leaves which cynthia prefers
to cherry — in my experience — yet there was no trace of pro-
methea in their appearance. Their cocoons are more like those
of promethea, being smaller, browner, and more slender in
shape than the usual cynthia cocoon.
When a cocoon was nearly finished the larva would crawl
to the upper end, seize a bunch of the loose threads, at the
open end, in its mandibles, and, letting go all hold with legs
and props, "pounce down" violently, pulling the bunch of
threads in and down. Then the larva let go the threads, which
remained drawn toward the back, or " stem"-side, of the
cocoon, crawled up to the top and repeated the process until
all the loose threads had been gathered close to the back of
the cocoon, and its mouth was closed. I have never seen any
cynthia larva do this, but I have seen promethea do it.
Three of the larvae spun cocoons so small that they could
not turn in them, so backed out, deserted them, and tried
again. Their silk -gave out and they pupated without any
cocoon, but not perfectly.
In my experience cynthia larvae will not eat wild cherry if
they can get anything else, and I have had whole broods starve
rather than eat it. These hybrids preferred it to everything
else, except some of Miss Eliot's lot, which took sassafras.
Ailauthus I did not have to offer them.
One 9 cynthia mated $ promethea but laid no eggs until
mated with $ cynthia after which she oviposited abundantly.
The larvae were typical cynthia in appearance, but chose wild
cherry for food and spun small, slender cocoons like promethea.
Accidentally three boxes containing these larvae, just ready
to spin, were put aside reversed, so that the twigs and leaves
arranged for normal spinning were upside down. Each of the
six larvae spun a normal cocoon, fastening the leaf-stem to the
twig as if the twig were uppermost, and wrapping the leaf
around the cocoon as usual. Yet the spinning had not begun
when the boxes were set aside.
Early in August I found hundreds of Dryocampa rubicioida
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 397
larvae crawling, for pupation, on a wooded road. Of the fifty-
one which I took and which pupated, thirteen gave the moths
on August 22d-25th. These moths mated and their eggs
hatched in due time. The other pupae are alive and in good
condition, but seem to be waiting for another summer before
giving the moths, a new experience to me.
NAMES OF COLEOPTERA.— In the NEWS of last September I cited
Aphanotus Lee. as a homonym of Aphanotus Lowe, but did not propose
a substitute. I am indebted to Dr. D. S. Jordan for the information that
Lowe's genus was really Ap/ianopus, and " Aphanotus'' as given in the
Nomenclator Zoologicus, is a mistake. — T. D. A. COCKERELL.
REMEDY FOR MOSQUITOES.— A Memphis (Mo.) man has discovered
a new way to get rid of mosquitoes. He says to rub alum on your face
and hands. When the mosquito takes a bite it puckers his buzzer so it
can't sting. It sits down in a damp place, tries to dig the pucker loose,
catches its death of cold, and dies of pneumonia. — Newspaper.
TWENTY-ONE MILLION BUTTERFLIES QAUGHT. — Belgrade, Sept. 8.-
Owing to the damage done to crops by butterflies, the Servian Minister
of the Interior offered four cents for every 500 captured. Although the
amount appears small, the pursuit of butterflies is profitable, as already
21.000,000 of them have been tendered for reward. The minister says
it is cheap to get rid of these millions at a cost of $4,250. — Xacsf'apa:
CERCERIS DESERTA Say. — New Haven, 9, June 27, 1902 (E. J. S.
Moore) ; tf, August 16, 1904 (O. H. Walden). Only the $ has hereto-
fore been known to science. The $ here cited differs from the J1 of the
same place as follows : clypeus produced, the production a little wider
than long, nearly quadrate, planate, projecting downward and outward
and forming with the face an angle of about 45°, the anterior margin of
the projection slightly broadly produced in the middle, clypeal projection
with a broad transverse yellow band leaving an anterior and posterior
band of black about half as broad as the yellow lateral face marks, nearly
an obtuse angled triangle adjoining the eyes, with a rather broad black
space between them and the yellow clypeal mark and a narrower black
space between them and the insertion of the antennce ; greater part of
first dorsal abdominal segment covered with almost semicircular yellow
marks that almost attain the posterior margin of the segment along their
diameter and that are separated from each other along the middle line by
a dark line narrower than the width of the pedicellum ; dorsal abdominal
bands broader, venter entirely black ; coxa and trorhanters almost en-
tirely black, anterior and middle femora black, tipped with yellowish
brown, posterior femora pale and dark brown, posterior til>i;r yellow,
with the apical third of the posterior aspect brown. — II. L. VIKKKCK.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items
of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given
in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at oui
earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep-
tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NHWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num-
ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or
important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five " extras," without change in form,
will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along
with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.— ED.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., DECEMBER, 1906.
To avoid the annoyance and trouble of collecting subscrip-
tions and keeping accounts in the future, all subscriptions to
this journal will be exacted in advance and the publication
will be stopped at the expiration of subscriptions. This rule
will apply to everyone and no exceptions will be made. Sub-
scription blanks will be placed in this issue for the benefit of
those who have not paid for the coming year. These blanks
will also be found in the copies of those who have already re-
newed for 1907, and are not to be considered bills.
Another change will be made in the coming volume : a num-
ber for July* will be published, but none for August or Septem-
ber. There is not the same necessity for the journal during
the hot collecting months. We will continue to improve the
NEWS in every way and expect to make it the best journal of
its kind in the world. We are constantly receiving commen-
datory fetters for our efforts in this direction. Our subscribers
and well wishers can aid us greatly by helping to increase the
subscription list, as this will aid us to improve the journal for
all interested.
RHABDOPHAGA RIGIDAE. — I am much pleased to see the excellent de-
scriptions and figures of Cecidomyiidse in Dr. Felt's report for 1905,
just issued. I notice on p. 122 that Rhabdophaga rigidac appears as a.
"new species," on the ground that Osten Sacken knew only the gall.
It may be as well to state, therefore, that in Entomologist, 1890, pp.
278-279, the gall, larva, pupa-shell and imago are briefly characterized. —
T. D. A. COCKERELL.
"Si IK c I In- In ",i lining of the Journal no numbers for July and August have been published.
398
Dec., *06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 399
Notes and Ne\vs.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
DR. P. P. CALVERT secured a valuable lot of insects on his recent trip
to Mexico. These are in addition to the Odonata to which he gave espe-
cial attention.
WE have recently had a pleasant visit from Mr. T. N. Willing of Re-
gina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He is doing good work in creating an
interest in entomology in his district, and is an enthusiastic collector, par-
ticularly in Lepidoptera and Coleoptera.
HIGHER CRITICISM. — Ascum — "So you don't believe the story of the
fall of man ?" Doubter— "Not altogether. I don't believe there was any
serpent, although Eve may have honestly thought so. It was probably
just an apple worm which her fear magnified."
"CHIGGERS." LEPTUS IRRITANS AT CINCINNATI, OHIO. — Ten years
a.yo those pests were unknown to me in this locality. Xow they have
become numerous and exceedingly aggressive. While at work in a
•thicket, June 3Oth, digging up an ant hill and sifting it. I secured a fine
collection of them, without any effort on my part. I find a preparation
called "Libradol," made by Lloyd Bros., Cincinnati, Ohio, a very effec-
tive and instant relief from the irritation, while a little carbolated
vaseline quickly heals the pustule which they cause.
"Here's to the 'chigger,' who grows no bigger
Than the point of a pin.
The lump that he raises, itches like blazes,
And there's where the rub comes in !"
—CHARLES DURY.
PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT OF ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIA-
TION OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGISTS. — The Nineteenth Annual Meeting
of the Association of Economic Entomologists will be held in New York
City on Friday and Saturday, December 28 and 29, 1906. More details
concerning the exact place of meeting, hotel accommodations and rail-
way rates will be given at a later date.
It is desired to make this meeting the best in the history of tlie Asso-
ciation, both as to attendence and number and quality of the papers pre-
sented.
Reports of the Committees on Nomenclature, Testing of Proprietary
Insecticides and on the National Control of Introduced Pests will be pre-
sented for the consideration of the Association. If possible, a symposium
will be arranged on Insect Legislation.
Kindly forward at once the titles of papers you may wish to present.
It is suggested that a brief abstract of each paper be sent to the Secre-
tary, as tins can be used by the press and will make the reports of the
meeting more valuable.— A. H. KIRKLAND, President, No. 6 Beacon St.,
Boston, Mass.; A. F. BURGESS, Secretary, Capitol Bid., Columbus, O.
400 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec. , '06
UNDER the name Eurypodea fredericki Edw. A. Klages has described
a remarkable beetle from Suapure. Caura Valley, Venezuela, belonging
to the group Copres. The single sheet description was published by the
author.
Entomological Literature.
TENTH ANNUAL REBORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST OF MINNESOTA.
—Fourth Annual Report of F. L. Washburn. The Diptera of Minne-
sota. This is a work of one hundred and fifty-five pages and contains
two plates in color; the second plate is appropriately numbered as to the
names of the species and the first is not. There are also one hundred
and sixty-three line and half tone cuts, which are mostly very good.
The first fourteen pages are devoted to an account of the Diptera, their
economic importance and their anatomy. Then follows a synopsis,
after which the body of the work is made up of an account of the
families and species inhabiting Minnesota. The work will be very
valuable to the people of the State who care to use it. As a popular
treatise on the subject it will also be useful to the many entomologists
who do not make a special study of the Order.
A REVISION OF THE AMERICAN PAPILIOS.* — By the Hon. Walter Roths-
child, Ph.D., and Karl Jordan, Ph.D.
This is a work of 333 pages, with six plates and fifty-nine figures,
and covers North and South America and the adjacent islands. It
shows very great reseach into the literature of the subject and we
presume the nomenclatural opinions of the authors will be largely
followed. There has been no attempt to divide the species into " up-to-
date " genera, although this is promised later. We believe the authors
are unusually qualified to do this in a scientific way as they say " classifi-
cation has always suffered from the habit of systematists of studying the
systematics of a district rather than concentrating their labors on certain
families taking into account all the species of the globe." We again
quote as follows : "The most interesting general result of our researches
is perhaps the demonstration of geographical variability in secondary
sexual characters apart from the genitalia. The occurrence of such
variability is of great bearing on systematics, since many authors con-
sider secondary sexual differences to be of generic value." It should
not be forgotten that there are two sexes in insects and the student is
not unlikely to have or obtain but one and a unisexual classification
won't help him materially, especially in families where there is consider-
able antigeny. There is much food for thought of very considerable
interest in" the preface. The work as a whole is excellent, and while it
is quite possible to take exception to the standing accorded a number of
forms, the subject is one of great difficulty and our knowledge at present
too limited to speak dogmatically on the subject. Trinomials are used
* Novitates Zoologicae, xiii., No. 3,'August, 1906.
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 401
and varieties are divided into three categories ; the geographical, the
seasonal and the individual variety. Subspecies is used in the sense of
essential variety, incipient species or geographical race. It is just here
that the personal equation comes in and we are of the opinion that this
work expresses fairly well the relative value of these forms, or as well
as may be at the present time, with the knowledge at hand. It will
probably be of interest to our readers to speak of the treatment of the
species found from Mexico northward. The name ajax is dropped and
our species becomes marcellus marcellus Cram. ; marcclhis floridensis
Holland ; marcellus telamonides Feld. ; marcellus lecontei Rothschild and
Jordan ; philenor philenor L. and philenor orsua Godnian and Salvin.
Machaon aliaska Scudder, does not differ in any essential way from the
Asiatic specimens. We have examples from Eagle City, Alaska, and
Sikhim that are identical. P. polyxenes becomes polyxenes stabilis
Rothschild and Jordan ; polyxenes asterius Cram. ; polyxenes polyxenes
Fab., and polyxenes brevicauda Saund. ; pcrgamus is given subspecific
rank. Cresphontes is considered distinct from thoas, and the latter
becomes thoas antocles Rothschild and Jordan. Troilus is divided into
troilus troitus L., and troilus texanus Ehrm. Glaucus becomes glaucus
glaucus L. and glaucus canadensis Rothschild and Jordan. We may
mention a few cases where there is much warrant for a difference of
opinion in regard to the standing of varieties. P. glaucus might be
more logically divided into three forms, the very large and dark Florida
form being of equal value to the boreal. The Cuban polyxenes shows
almost no difference of moment from specimens found in the United
States, the latter varying to a wonderful degree. Variety curvifascia is
said by the authors to occur from New Mexico, to Vera Cruz, Guatemala,
and West Mexico, a topomorph covering a great extent of territory, yet
it is not given subspecific value. It seems to differ to a greater degree
from asterius than does the Cuban polyxenes. Papilio bairdi is given
specific rank which is very doubtfully the case. It seems much more
nearly related to polyxenes than is americus Kollar. Variation has not
been sufficiently studied to permit of an exact nomenclature, and die
values of varieties are by no means parallel, and at present it is psycho-
logical so far as the individual observer is concerned. The authors had
a wealth of material for study, and the work shows the general result of
this in its broad treatment. The thoas group represents a special study
and a rather large number of names are proposed. We are inclined to
think many more names could be applied to some of the other species
on the same principles. Perhaps this would invalidate the argument on
page 429 in favor of trinomials in preference to citing localities, as the
locality would be more indicative of what is meant than a name, which
often indicates an inappreciable difference, difficult or almost impossible
to express in words. Such works undoubtedly cause an increased inter-
est in the group or groups treated and mooted points are more likely to
be elucidated thereby. — H. S.
402 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
'GLI INSETTI, LORO ORGANIZZAZIONE, SVILUPPO, ABITUDINI E RAPPORTI
COLL'UOMO. — By Prof. Antonio Berlese, Director of the Royal Sta-
tion for Agricultural Entomology in Florence. Milan, Societa
Editrice Libraria, 1906. Published in parts at one lira each.
With such excellent recent general American books on insects as those
of Kellogg and of Folsom, it would seem difficult for a book in a foreign
language to meet any great demand in this country, yet the admirable
work of Professor Berlese, of which seventeen parts have already been
published, will undoubtedly prove a very important addition to the libra-
ries of all institutions in which advanced morphology is being studied and
in all laboratories in which the study of insects is undertaken from any
point of view.
Berlese is a master, a man of broad ideas, thorough training, admirable
in technic, clear in demonstration, an excellent writer, and a capable
draftsman. His work when completed will be both sound and compre-
hensive. It will comprise two volumes, of which the first will in a general
way contain the anatomy, and the second the biology of insects. The
first volume will consist of from seven to eight hundred pages, and will
be accompanied by about one thousand figures. Of these, 550 pages
have been published in seventeen parts, and the printed parts contain six
hundred figures and four plates.
The subjects considered in the first volume, by chapters, are : I. Brief
history of entomology ; II. Size of insects ; III. Plan of the insect struc-
ture ; IV. Embryology in general ; V. Morphology in general ; VI.
Exoskeleton ; VII. Endoskeleton ; VIII. Muscular system ; IX. Integ-
ument and its structure ; X. Glands.
There still remain to be published chapters on the nervous system and
organs of sense, organs of digestion, organs of circulation, organs of res-
piration, organs of secretion, and sexual organs. In the part already
completed, the chapters on morphology are marvels of detail and thor-
oughness. The work itself is a large octavo, and more than ninety pages
are devoted, for example, to the study of exoskeleton of the head, while
nearly eighty pages are occupied with the treatment of the muscular sys-
tem. Nearly all of the numerous and strikingly apt illustrations are
original, having been drawn by Dr. Berlese himself. Each section of the
work is followed by a very complete bibliography, and the author has
shown a perfect knowledge of the work of other men, the publications of
American authors having been considered and studied with a thorough-
ness quite unusual among European authors.
The second volume, which has been reserved for the treatment of
biology of insects, will contain a careful consideration of all questions of
economic importance, and it will undoubtedly be of interest to learn from
this work Berlese's final views on the subject of parasitism, and espe-
cially the relations of insects and birds, upon which point he has long been
at odds with other Italian zoologists. — L. O. HOWARD.
Dec., '06] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 403
Doings of Societies.
At the meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social held Sep-
tember 19, 1906, eight members were present and Mr. Harry
Kaeber visitor. President Daecke in the chair.
Mr. Wenzel stated that he had received a postal card from
Professor Smith from Brussels wishing to be remembered to
the boys.
Mr. Harbeck spoke of Tenodera sinensis having been raised
at L/ogan. Mr. Schmitz remarked that he also raised the said
species at West Philadelphia, and that he saw imagos in his
yard up to about September ist.
The insects exhibited by Mr. Schmitz at the last meeting
were identified as Aleurodes vaporariorum Westwood. They
were found on scarlet sage, of which they had entirely denuded
the foliage.
Mr. Wenzel exhibited work in white pine of Tomicus pini
and Pityophthorus sparsus, collected by H. Wenzel, Jr., at
Pocono Mountain.
Mr. Harbeck reported that the collecting season was very
promising up to July i5th, since which time it has been poor.
Mr. Daecke exhibited a specimen of Evetria comstockiana
which he bred from a pine rosin tube. He also exhibited a
specimen of a Pimpla {Calliephialtes} n. sp., bred from a
similar rosin tube which is evidently parasitic upon Evetria
comstockiana.
Mr. Daecke exhibited specimens of Rhicnoessa albula taken
at Stone Harbor, N. J. ; one specimen was mounted on white
ocean sand, from which it was difficult to distinguish with the
naked eye.
FRANK HAIMBACH, Secretary.
At the meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social held
October 17, 1906, at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523
South 1 3th Street, Philadelphia, there were eight members
present. President Daecke in the chair.
Mr. Haimbach read an extract from a letter received by him
from Miss Annette F. Braun, of Cincinnati, Ohio, referring to
her observations of the Life History of Tenodera sinensis.
404 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., '06
Mr. Laurent reported the capture of Pamphila phylans at
Mount Airy, Pa., which he said is the second record of capture
of this species for eastern Pennsylvania. He also reported
capture of Catocala concumbens in Pike County, Pa., which is
second record for the State of Pennsylvania.
Mr. L/aurent also stated that in the northeastern part of this
State, locust trees as well as golden rod grow profusely, but
he had not seen any specimens of the locust borer Cyllcne
robinicB in the past season, while in the southeastern part of
the State the trees were much infested and the insect common.
Mr. Wenzel read from Dr. Hopkin's paper on the life history
of Cyllene robinia;.
Mr. Harbeck reported the following Diptera new to New
Jersey : Frontina alcti/z Riley taken at Anglesea, June 1 1 , 1905 ;
Acemyia dcntata Coq. taken at L/ucaston, September 9, 1905,
and Brachycoma sheldoni Coq. taken at Trenton, May 23, 1906.
Mr. Harbeck also reported capture of Frontina setipes Coq.
at Germautown, Pa., September 24, 1905, described from
Brookings, South Dakota.
Dr. Castle exhibited specimens of Pachyscelus purpureus
Say, taken at Glenolden, Pa., and stated that his earliest
record is April 2Qtli and latest spring record June i2th, and
that he found the insect common again on September 2ist,
which proves conclusively that there is a second brood.
Mr. Haimbach exhibited his collection of the Genus Crambns
taken in Philadelphia, Pa., and southern New Jersey, number-
ing 22 species, one of which, satrapellus, being new to New
Jersey list and one probably new to science.
Mr. Daecke exhibited a $ Mydas fulvifrons 111. and a <?
My das chrysostoma O.-S., which were taken in coitu at Stone
Harbor, N. J., thus establishing the synonymy of chrysostoma.
He also stated that the new record for New Jersey of Chrysops
sordidus O.-S. (meeting of June 27, 1906, published ENT.
NEWS, Oct., 1906) is erroneous, it should read Chrysops cuclu.v
Whitney. There is no reason, however, why Chrysops sordidus
O.-S. should not be found in New Jersey.
FRANK HAIMBACH, Secretary.
flnzona LEPiniia anfl COLEOPTEBB For
COLEOPTERA.
Pl.Hsiittis bei/eri 2.50, passable 1.0(1, /'. Irvniitt'i .."><). /'. ii/in-insn .7.". I'.ni>h<n-in
.25, I'litiimiirltn.i ini'siciiiiiis .75. Pushnnclinx sj>. 1.00, Clmix l>iiii<trnlntit.t ."id, I 'Im
apricltfiiiiux 1.50, (ri/iiDictiH cri'tuci'ii 1.50, O>«-'«ler<'x r/»iTr».i- .?."i. Mi'l<ili'/>liin li'ilrx'i .75. t.'nuji-
halotle* friinhi/df.roides 1.00, Elajiliiilinii iirhniii'naix 5d. lii/nitxtft ijrinili l.dd, Cliri/sul/olht is
lixa .25, (?. exflsa .50, (?. liltotioti .50, ( '. ccca .25, r. linliiic/i/n .25.
LEPIDOPTERA.
Catocala pura 2.0d, (lrstl>'m<mn .75, frhnnii's biedermani 3.00. jiuir 5.00. Xylophones falco
•2.00, PholUS typhon, passable 3.00, X<tuiin ijtnrrri .50, lihin-rtu jiaiilii 1.5(1. .Inliniii-ris /minimi
8.00, pair 15.00, cocuons 3.00, Mi'iinthi/niiis iifnniu'/ii'iii .25, Xeojthnsiii leilnnli l.Od, 1'li'st'm
dorus .25. Ordere of $10.00 or over 10 per cent, discount. (.'ash in advance. KHi-ien-
ces : National Bank, Tucson, Arizona; Ilcnry Skinner, Philadelphia.
C. R. BIEDERMAN, Palmerlee, Cochise Co.. Arizona
EMBKflTIO)! OF TERPIS USED IN EUTOWLOHY.
A substantially bound book of 155 pages, with definitions
of over 4500 terms used in Entomological work, three plates,
illustrating body structure and venation, and one plate illus-
trating color terms.
Prepared by PROF. JOHN B. SMITH, Sc D , of Rutgers
College and State Entomologist of New Jersey, and published
by THE BROOKLYN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY
An indispensible book for collectors as well as working
entomologists and students.
Will be sent, postpaid, on receipt of price, $2.00, by the
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